Embassy of India, Bucharest

to Romania and Moldova

President of India
Smt. Droupadi Murmu
Address to the Nation on the Eve of the 80th Independence Day
New Delhi, August 14, 2026

मेरे प्यारे देशवासियो,

नमस्कार!

स्वतन्त्रता दिवस की पूर्व संध्या पर आप सभी को मैं इस राष्ट्रीय पर्व की हार्दिक बधाई देती हूं। अब से कुछ ही घंटों बाद, हमारे देश की स्वाधीनता के 80वें वर्ष का शुभारंभ होगा। देश-विदेश में रहने वाले सभी भारतीय यह पर्व उल्लास के साथ मनाते हैं। हमारा तिरंगा हमारी स्वाधीनता का प्रतीक है। इसे हम पूरी शान से फहराते हैं।

15 अगस्त 1947 के दिन भारतमाता पराधीनता की बेड़ियों से मुक्त हुई। सभी देशवासी, स्वतंत्र भारत की नियति के निर्माता बने। हम भारत के लोग, अपने सपनों को साकार करने के अवसरों का उपयोग कर सकें, और भारत को सर्वश्रेष्ठ राष्ट्र बनाने की भावना से कार्य करें – इसी में स्वतन्त्रता की सार्थकता है।

Numerous citizens engaged in various activities, and every citizen who faithfully discharges the Fundamental Duties enshrined in our Constitution, are active partners in our nation-building process. I wholeheartedly appreciate each one of them. I specially commend the devotion of our soldiers in the three Armed Forces, Armed Police Forces, and all police personnel for their unwavering dedication to duty. I also praise the Indian diaspora and the officials serving in our embassies who enhance India's prestige and honour on the global stage.

My dear fellow citizens,

We are moving ahead towards building Viksit Bharat by the centenary year of our Independence in 2047. Guided by the spirit of Antyodaya, it is our resolve to ensure that the fruits of development reach every individual. Embracing our rich heritage and the ideals of the freedom movement, we march ahead on the path of modern development. The Ved-Vakya, 'Vayam Rashtre Jagriyam' inspires us to always remain ready to serve the nation.

During our freedom struggle, people with diverse ideologies were united by one common goal – India's Independence. During the Swadeshi Movement, the song Vande Mataram became a song of the masses. Countless Indians plunged themselves into our freedom struggle under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar embodied the highest ideals of social reform and patriotism. I humbly bow to all those great sons and daughters of Bharat Mata whose ideals guided our country to its freedom and its progress thereafter.

Today, on the 14th of August, we observe Vibhajan Vibheeshika Smriti Divas. We solemnly remember those lakhs of Indians who lost their lives in the violence resulting from the partition, or were forced to endure the tragedy of displacement. Lakhs of people had to become refugees due to communal violence and endure the horrors of partition. Yet, they did not give up their identity.

जब हमारा देश स्वतंत्र हुआ, उस समय देश के विभाजन के गंभीर परिणामों के साथ-साथ, 550 से अधिक रियासतों को नवस्वाधीन भारत के साथ जोड़ना भी एक असाधारण चुनौती थी। सरदार पटेल ने राजशाही व्यवस्थाओं को समाप्त करके हमारे स्वाधीन लोकतन्त्र में उनका विलय किया। एक कृतज्ञ राष्ट्र की ओर से, आधुनिक भारत की एकता के शिल्पकार, लौहपुरुष सरदार वल्लभभाई पटेल की पावन स्मृति को मैं सादर नमन करती हूं।

Our country is celebrating the 200th birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. Mahatma Phule and Kranti-Jyoti Savitribai Phule made historic contributions to social justice, education, women's empowerment, and equality. Following their ideals, the upliftment of the deprived sections of society has been given priority at the national level during the past few years. New standards have been set in the area of women's education. More than 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty. Under 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana', the world's largest program of financial inclusion, nearly 59 crore account holders have joined the banking system. Out of these, more than 32 crore account holders are women. Food security has been ensured for more than 80 crore people by providing them with free rations. Under 'Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana', free healthcare coverage of up to 5 lakh rupees per year has been provided to 60 crore people. Kisan Samman Nidhi and Kisan Credit Cards have provided support to farmers engaged in activities such as farming, dairy, poultry, fisheries, and beekeeping.

India has developed the world's largest and best digital infrastructure. Digital payments are now common even in small rural shops and among street vendors. More than half of the world's real-time digital transactions take place in India. Together, the people of India and the Government have presented an example of digital revolution to the global community. By using technology, the Government has provided benefits of welfare schemes to the people in a transparent manner.

Our country has seen an unprecedented expansion of modern infrastructure in the form of highways, waterways, railways and airways. This is creating opportunities for new enterprises, generating employment, and boosting investor confidence.

प्यारे देशवासियो,

विश्व के अनेक क्षेत्रों में युद्ध एवं अस्थिरता का सभी देशों पर प्रभाव पड़ रहा है। ऐसी परिस्थिति में भी, हमारे देश की अर्थव्यवस्था, सबसे तेज गति से बढ़ती हुई प्रमुख अर्थव्यवस्था के रूप में आगे बढ़ रही है। आर्थिक अनुमानों के अनुसार भारत की विकास दर विश्व की औसत विकास दर की तुलना में दोगुने से अधिक रहेगी। 'आत्मनिर्भर भारत' अभियान से, हमारी आर्थिक प्रगति और राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा का आधार मजबूत हुआ है।

While moving ahead on the path of modern development, India is also playing a leading role at the global level in protecting the environment. Our country has achieved some of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, ahead of schedule. Over the past few years, the development of renewable energy has gained unprecedented momentum.

National interest is the foundation of our foreign policy. Peace, cooperation, dialogue, and the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam are the pillars of our foreign policy. We have entered into Free Trade Agreements with many countries to enhance economic cooperation and strengthen mutual relations. We are playing a leading role among the countries of the Global South. Our country has grown in stature on the global stage. We believe in a rules based international order. Our endeavour is to ensure that the global community receives appropriate representation in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations. This endeavour of our country has been getting strong support from many countries.

Along with efforts for economic self-reliance of women, we are also seeing them in leadership roles in many fields. It is a remarkable achievement of our democratic republic that the number of women exercising their right to vote is growing. 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' has been enacted in 2023 with the purpose of reserving 33 percent representation for women in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies. Achieving the objectives of this Act will enhance women's role in leadership and make our democracy more inclusive.

हमारे विद्यार्थी, भारत के भविष्य निर्माता हैं। जिस तरह राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा के लिए सरकार और समाज का एकजुट रहना जरूरी है, उसी तरह विद्यार्थियों के वर्तमान और भविष्य की सुरक्षा के लिए भी सभी के सम्मिलित प्रयास जरूरी हैं। सार्वजनिक परीक्षाएं, विद्यार्थियों के लिए अवसरों के द्वार खोलती हैं। इसलिए, सरकार इन परीक्षाओं में सुधार के लिए व्यापक कदम उठा रही है। इन सुधारों का उद्देश्य है कि सार्वजनिक परीक्षाओं में अनुचित साधनों पर पूरी तरह से अंकुश लगे, परीक्षा प्रणाली और अधिक पारदर्शी, तथा युवाओं के लिए सुरक्षित एवं भरोसेमंद हो।

My Dear Fellow Citizens,

We take pride in our tradition of overcoming the forces hostile to humanity, for upholding truth and justice. On the 26th of July, we observed Kargil Vijay Diwas. Earlier, on the 7th of May, we commemorated the completion of one year since the launch of Operation Sindoor. We remembered the unmatched valour of our Armed Forces. That historic operation against terrorism demonstrated the capability of the Indian Armed Forces to act with precision. It sent a clear and firm message to terrorists and those who support them, that no matter where they hide, they will have to face the consequences of their actions. Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with the country that harbours terrorism is a decisive step in the interest of our nation, especially the farmers.

मेरे प्यारे देशवासियो,

सभी भारतवासियों का विकास और कल्याण ही विकसित भारत के निर्माण का वास्तविक लक्ष्य है। तेलुगू भाषा में रचना करने वाले महान राष्ट्रवादी साहित्यकार, गुरजाडा अप्पाराव ने, अपने एक गीत में, सभी भारतवासियों को देश प्रेम का अमूल्य संदेश दिया है। उन्होंने कहा है:

देसमुनु प्रेमिंचुमन्ना, मंचि अन्नदि पेंचुमन्ना।

देसमंटे, मट्टि कादोय, देसमंटे, मनुषुलोय।

इन पंक्तियों का भाव है:

देश से प्रेम करो; भलाई को बढ़ाओ;

देश का अर्थ केवल मिट्टी ही नहीं है।

देश का अर्थ समस्त जनसमुदाय है।

मुझे विश्वास है कि समाज की भागीदारी और सरकार के प्रयासों से गांव-गांव में, नगर-नगर में, भारत के घर-घर में रहने वाले सभी लोग स्वस्थ, सुखी और समृद्ध बनेंगे।

आइए, देश प्रेम की इसी सर्व समावेशी भावना के साथ हम सब स्वतंत्र भारत को विकसित भारत बनाने की राष्ट्रीय-साधना में स्वयं को समर्पित करें।

धन्यवाद!

जय हिंद!

जय भारत!