New avenues of employment and entrepreneurship for the youth over the past decade, says PM
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NEW DELHI, AUGUST 15, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort today, highlighted the unprecedented expansion in India’s social security coverage, noting that the number of people covered has increased from 25 crore before 2014 to 100 crore within a decade.
The Prime Minister said that the resolve for a developed India would be fulfilled only when development reaches the last person. Underlining the expansion of social security coverage, he said, “Before 2014, only 25 crore people had social security cover. He further added, “Only 25 crore in the last 5-7 decades; we have provided social security cover to 100 crore countrymen within a decade.”
Emphasising upon the benefits reaching families through social security and welfare measures, the Prime Minister also referred to the Ayushman Bharat scheme, under which elderly persons above 70 years of age are receiving free treatment up to ₹5 lakh.
The Prime Minister highlighted the significant progress made in creating new avenues of employment and entrepreneurship for the youth over the past decade. He noted that the Startup India initiative has enabled the growth of more than 2.5 lakh registered startups, with young entrepreneurs not only creating opportunities for themselves but also generating employment for others. He further underlined the role of the ₹1 lakh crore Innovation Fund, Skill India, Digital India, the opening up of the space and aviation sectors, and the National Drone Policy in creating new opportunities for employment, skilling and entrepreneurship. The expansion of airports, new air routes, aircraft manufacturing, maintenance and overhauling is also generating employment for skilled workers, the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that ensuring that the benefits of development reach the last person remains central to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the occasion of 80th Independence Day, he conveyed his heartfelt greetings, observing that every heartbeat and home across the country resonates with the spirit of the Tricolour and new resolutions while celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram. “I respectfully bow to all freedom fighters and great revolutionaries who awakened the great tradition of sacrifice,” remarked Shri Modi.
Highlighting the rapid expansion of alternative energy infrastructure, the Prime Minister contrasted stagnation with massive 12-year milestones, noting that City Gas Distribution expanded from 70 to 700 cities, piped cooking gas reached 1.75 crore households, and solar capacity surged from 2 GW to 160 GW. “Expanding the piped gas network from 70 to 700 cities in twelve years is true speed and absolutely true expansion,” observed Shri Modi.
Detailing the direct economic benefits delivered to the middle class through renewable energy, the Prime Minister celebrated the rapid success of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, highlighting that the free solar electricity scheme has crossed 50 lakh households by providing financial assistance of up to Rs 80,000 per family to effectively reduce power bills to zero and generate additional income through surplus power sales. “Thousands of houses are earning today by selling excess electricity, and we are rapidly fulfilling this massive task,” noted Shri Modi.
Invoking the ancient civilizational strength of the Sapt Sindhu, the Prime Minister announced a powerful new strategic framework and delivered a futuristic clarion call for Bharat’s next leap by unveiling the transformative Saptdhara or Sapt Shakti. He emphasised that these seven dynamic streams of strength, fully utilising the immense capability of the youth, will propel the nation forward to unprecedented heights. “With the tremendous capability and power of that seven-stream strategy, we will aggressively give the country a new height and a new speed,” promised Shri Modi.
Reflecting on the devastating, four-decade-long reign of violent extremism that completely ruined millions of futures, the Prime Minister honoured the sacrifice of over 3,500 security personnel and proudly declared that Naxalism has been decisively dismantled, with such insurgencies now replaced entirely by a massive surge of regional development and trust flourishing in liberated areas. “Today in those very regions, due to being completely free from extremism, the Tricolour of massive development, trust, and effort is proudly fluttering,” affirmed Shri Modi.
Detailing the life-changing impact of powerful welfare initiatives, the Prime Minister highlighted the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which has extended free medical coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh to senior citizens above 70 years and officially saved poor and middle-class families an estimated Rs 2 lakh crore in crushing medical bills. “Because of this health card, massive funds meant for medicines and operations have been completely
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