In a stirring address to the nation on the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu lauded India’s journey of progress over the past 78 years, highlighting the nation’s economic achievements, social welfare initiatives, and advancements in defence and technology. The speech, delivered on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, also paid tribute to the victims of the 1947 partition.
Independence Day 2025 President Speech – Key highlights
A look back at India’s journey
The President’s began by honouring the sacrifices of freedom fighters and the successful transition to a vibrant democracy.
“During the long years of colonial rule, generations of Indians dreamt of the day of independence. Men and women, old and young, from all parts of the country, yearned to throw away the yoke of foreign rule. Their struggle was marked by robust optimism, which has continued to propel our progress since Independence too. As we salute the tricolour tomorrow, we will also be paying homage to the memory of all freedom fighters whose sacrifices won India Independence on the 15th of August, 78 years ago,” Murmu stated.
“As we look back on the past, we must not forget the pain inflicted by the Partition of the country. Today we observed Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas. Terrible violence was witnessed, and millions were forced to relocate due to Partition. Today, we pay tributes to the victims of the follies of history,” she added.
Murmu asserted that India’s democratic ethos is rooted in its history as the “mother of democracy” and that the Constitution’s pillars of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity are central to the nation’s identity.
“Our Constitution contains four values as the four pillars upholding our democracy. They are – justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. These are our civilisational principles that we re-discovered during the Freedom Struggle. At the heart of them all, I believe, is the notion of human dignity. Every human being is equal, and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. Everyone should have equal access to healthcare and education. Everyone should have equal opportunity. Those who had been traditionally at a disadvantage needed to be given a helping hand,” the President said in her address on the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day.
“Keeping these principles foremost in mind, we started a new journey in 1947. After the long years of foreign rule, India was in utter poverty at the time of Independence. But in the 78 years since then, we have made extraordinary progress in all fields. India is well on the way to becoming a self-reliant nation and is moving ahead with great confidence,” Murmu noted.
India fastest growing among major economies in the world: President Murmu
President’s address celebrated India’s economic performance, noting that with a 6.5 per cent GDP growth rate in the last fiscal year, the country is the fastest-growing major economy in the world.
“Even amid stress in the global economy, demand at home is pacing ahead. Inflation has remained under control. Exports are rising. All key indicators show the economy in the pink of health. This is as much due to carefully calibrated reforms and sagacious economic management as due to the hard work and dedication of our workers and farmers,” she highlighted.
President lauds government’s welfare initiatives for poor
Murmu’s address also pointed to a large number of people being pulled out of poverty through various welfare initiatives and good governance.
“The government has been running a series of welfare initiatives for the poor and also for those who have risen above the poverty line but are still vulnerable, so that they do not fall below it again. This is reflected in the rising expenditure on social services. Income inequality is reducing. Regional disparities are also disappearing. The States and regions, earlier known for weaker economic performance, are now showing their true potential and catching up with the front-runners,” she said.
Key developments undertaken by the government included the expansion of the National Highway network under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, new trains like the Vande Bharat, and the inauguration of the rail link in the Kashmir valley.
“We have expanded and strengthened the National Highway network under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. The Railways too have innovated, introducing new types of trains and coaches equipped with latest technologies. The inauguration of the rail link in Kashmir valley is a major accomplishment. Rail connectivity with the valley will boost trade and tourism in the region and open new economic possibilities. This engineering marvel at Kashmir is a historic milestone for our country,” Murmu said.
Addressing the key area of urban transport, the President stated the government has expanded metro rail facilities. “The number of cities with a metro rail service has gone up multifold in a decade. The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, or AMRUT, has ensured more and more households have access to a tap with the assured supply of water and a sewerage connection,” Murmu highlighted.
“The Government considers the basic amenities of life as rightful claims of the citizens. The Jal Jeevan Mission is making progress in providing tap water supply to rural households,” she added.
Ayushman Bharat – largest healthcare scheme of its kind in the world
In the healthcare sector, the Ayushman Bharat scheme was lauded by the President as the world’s largest healthcare scheme of its kind.
“This scheme has already provided cover to more than 55 crore people. The government extended this benefit to all senior citizens of the age of 70 years and above, regardless of their income. As inequalities in access are removed, the poor and the lower middle-class also benefit from the best possible health-care facilities,” she said.
Technological and defence achievements
Emphasising India’s dramatic advances in information technology, President Murmu stated that the country has become a world leader in digital payments. “The government has launched the India-AI mission to strengthen the country’s AI capabilities. It is also helping to build AI models that answer to India’s specific requirements. As we aspire to become a global-AI-hub by 2047, our focus will remain on making the best use of the advances in technology for the common people, to improve their lives by improving governance,” Murmu stressed.
She said that the all-round economic growth complemented by social sector initiatives has placed India well on the path of becoming a developed economy by 2047. “With the nation marching ahead during the Amrit Kaal, I see all of us contributing to the best of our ability. I believe, there are three sections of society that will lead us on this path – youth, women and the communities that had for long remained on the margins,” she said.
Lauding the National Education Policy, the President stated it has brought in far-reaching changes, aligning learning with values, and skills with tradition. Employment opportunities are booming. For those with entrepreneurial aspirations, the government has created the most conducive ecosystem, she added.
“Fuelled by young minds, our space program has witnessed unprecedented expansion. I am sure that Shubhanshu Shukla’s space journey to the International Space Station has fired a whole generation to dream bigger. It will prove extremely helpful for India’s upcoming human space flight program, ‘Gaganyaan’. Brimming with a new confidence, our youth are making a mark in sports and games. Chess, for example, is now dominated by India’s youngsters like never before. We foresee transformative changes which will establish India as a global sporting power-house under the vision contained in the National Sports Policy 2025,” she further stated.
Murmu’s also highlighted the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, as a step toward making women’s empowerment ‘no longer a slogan but a reality.’
In the realm of national security, the President recalled the terrorist attack in Kashmir and praised the Indian armed forces for their swift and decisive response with Operation Sindoor
“This year we had to face the scourge of terrorism. Killing innocent citizens on holiday in Kashmir was cowardly and utterly inhuman. India responded in a decisive manner and with steely resolve. Operation Sindoor showed that our armed forces are prepared to meet any eventuality when it comes to guarding the nation. With strategic clarity and technical capability, they destroyed terrorist hubs across the border. I believe, Operation Sindoor will go down in history as an example in humanity’s fight against terrorism,” she stated.
She also said that Operation Sindoor was also a test case of the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission in the defence sector. “The outcome has proved that we are on the right path. Our indigenous manufacturing has achieved the critical level that makes us self-sufficient in meeting many of our security requirements. These are landmark achievements in India’s defence history since Independence,” she said.
