New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted tricolour on the occasion of 75th Independence Day at the ramparts of Red Fort on Sunday. Prime Minister Modi called for "100 per cent" in terms of growth on the on the 75th Independence Day, which is being marked as the "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav" with two-year-long celebrations.

For the first time, this year, as soon as the Prime Minister hoisted the National Flag, flower petals were showered at the venue by two Mi 17 1V helicopters of the Indian Air Force in Amrut Formation. Wing Commander Baldev Singh Bisht commanded the first helicopter and Wing Commander Nikhil Mehrotra commanded the second chopper.

Thirty-two Olympic winners, including javelin thrower Subedar Neeraj Chopra, India’s first-ever Gold Medallist in track and field, and two Sports Authority of India (SAI) officials, participated in the celebrations at the Red Fort.

Highlights of PM Modi's Independence Day speech: 

I pay homage to all the freedom fighters who gave their lives for this great nation.

I salute everyone who has played a key role in this glorious journey of our nation.

I salute our scientists, doctors and frontline workers who have showcased their undeterred vigour in fighting the COVID19 pandemic.

I want to wish Happy 75th Independence Day to all of you and to all those who love India, love democracy all over the world.

I pay tribute to our Tokyo 2020 Olympians, who made our nation proud. They have not only won our hearts but also inspired our young generation.

Partition's pains can never be forgotten. Yesterday we took an emotional decision of marking 14 August as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

Be it Nehru Ji, the first PM of India, Sardar Patel, who turned the country into a united nation or Babasaheb Ambedkar, who showed India the way to the future, the country is remembering all of them; the country is indebted to all of them.

On Covid-19:

It is a moment of pride for us that because of our scientists, we were able to develop two #MakeInIndia COVID Vaccines and carry out the world's Largest Vaccine Drive.

The practice of giving Digital Certificate after COVID Vaccination has caught the attention of the world:

Despite our efforts, we also lost many in this fight against COVID 19. This unbearable pain will always remain with us: PM

After all our efforts, we also lost many in this fight against COVID 19. This unbearable pain will always remain with us.

On governance:

Our goal is to develop a nation where we not only have the world-class infrastructure but also move ahead with the mantra of 'Minimum government, maximum governance.'

In this Bharat ki Vikas Yatra, we have to ensure that we meet our goal of building an Aatma Nirbhar Bharat when we celebrate 100 years of India's Independence.

Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas is important in our journey of building the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat of our dreams.

As a citizen, we have to change ourselves in changing times. ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ and Now, ‘Sabka Prayaas’ is important for achieving our aim of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

We have to connect 100% of our citizens with schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala Yojna, Pension Yojna, Awas Yojna, etc.

The resolution is incomplete until the determination is not accompanied by the culmination of hard work and valour. That is why we have to fulfil all our solutions by doing hard work and culmination of might.

We have to move forward with the goal of ensuring that every citizen is connected with the government's transformative schemes.

I am happy that just within 2 years of Jal Jeevan Mission, over 4.5 Crore families has started receiving NalSeJal; this is our main achievement when the benefit reaches the last mile citizen.

Poshan is one of the keys focuses of our government. The government has also been working on preventive healthcare and building health and wellness infrastructure.

Now, we have to move even further. 100% villages should have roads, 100% households should have a bank account, 100% beneficiaries should have Ayushman Bharat card, 100% eligible persons should have gas connections under Ujjwala scheme.

To take India to newer heights, our government has passed the OBC bill. It will provide reservation to the backward classes of our country.

Be it rice available at ration shop, rice available in mid-day meal, rice available through every scheme will be fortified by the year 2024.

On infrastructure projects:

We have to bring out the potential of our North East and give them equal opportunities in this developmental journey of our nation.

Ladakh is witnessing a new transformative phase where the government is focusing on building world-class infrastructure.

The work of connecting all the state capitals of North-East with rail service is going to be completed very soon:

Today, a new history of connectivity is being written in the North East. This connectivity of the hearts as well as of the infrastructure.

Thermal energy can give a new dimension to India's developmental narrative.

On the one hand, Ladakh is witnessing the creation of modern infrastructure, while on the other, 'Sindhu Central University is going to make Ladakh a centre of higher education.

Ladakh is also progressing towards its limitless possibilities of development.

We are witnessing a new phase in the developmental journey of our villages. It not only has electricity and water but also nurturing Digital Entrepreneurs.

Priority is being given to schemes related to education, health, nutrition, roads, employment in over 110 aspirational districts of the country. Many of these districts are in tribal areas.

We have awakened the aspirations of the districts which were left behind earlier.

Agriculture sector:

We have to deal with the fact that our farmers now have less land to cultivate on. More than 80% of our farmers have less than two hectors of land.

We have to focus on helping our small farmers. We have to give maximum benefits of the government's schemes to them; be it through DBT or KrishiRail.

The government is now focusing on the welfare of small farmers. 10 Crore farmer families have directly received over ₹1.5 lakh crore in their bank accounts.

SVAMITVA Yojna is transforming the lives in rural India. Drone is helping our rural citizens map their land and apply for various schemes/loans online.

In the coming years, we will have to increase the collective power of the country's small farmers. They have to be given new facilities. We are trying to empower these farmers through SVAMITVA Yojana.

It is our dream that small farmers become the pride of the country.

We have pledged to celebrate 75 weeks of Amrit Mahotsav, starting 12 March 2021 till 15 August 2023.

We will have to work together for manufacturing world-class products, using cutting-edge innovation and new-age technology.

Indian Railways is also being transformed rapidly as the nation progresses towards Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. 

Under the Jan Ausadhi Yojana, the poor and needy are now getting affordable medicines. Over 75,000 Health & Wellness Centres have been built and we are working on a network of hospitals at the block level.

To further increase our developmental progress, we have to focus on our manufacturing and export

To give impetus to Make In India, we have introduced PLI scheme that will help us in increasing our exports 

Moving forward on the path of Vikas, we have to increase our manufacturing and export. You must have witnessed India's first Made in India Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant completing its first trial.

Manufacturing, startups and tax regime:

The startups of yesterday are becoming unicorns of today. These wealth creators now have a market value of over thousands of crores.

I want to tell the manufacturers - Every product you make is a brand ambassador for India. As long as that product is in use, the buyer will say - yes, this is Made in India.

We have to stop the over-involvement of government in the form of complex policies. Today, we have destroyed over 15,000 unnecessary compliances. 

We have introduced tax reforms that will give impetus to Ease Of Living and Ease Of Doing Business.

Good and smart governance is required to implement the reforms. Today, the world is also witnessing how India is writing a new chapter of governance.

To introduce people-centric approach in Bureaucracy, we have started Mission Karmayogi and Capacity Building programme.

Whether East, North East, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, the entire Himalayan region, our coastal belt or tribal region, these will become a big base for India's development in the future.

NEP will also focus on encouraging teaching in regional languages. When students learn their lessons in a language close to their hearts, it will surely give them new founded confidence.