2 weeks ago
PM Modi delivers shortest Red Fort speech in four years
India just celebrated 80 years of being an independent country.
Its leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave a big speech from the Red Fort, a famous fort in India's capital city.
The speech lasted 75 minutes, which is his shortest Independence Day speech in four years.
Last year, he spoke for 103 minutes, the longest speech any Indian prime minister has ever given.
This is the 13th time in a row that Modi has given this speech, and only the first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, has done it more times.
In the speech, Modi said one crore (ten million) young people will get training in artificial intelligence skills, and promised free online coaching for exam preparation.
He also wants to build a big group of civilian volunteers to help protect people during emergencies.
He talked about giving women a 33 percent reservation so they get more opportunities.
Some important leaders from the Congress party did not come to the event that day.
PM Modi delivered a 75-minute Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, his shortest in four years.
It was his 13th consecutive Red Fort Independence Day address, second only to Jawaharlal Nehru's record of 17.
The speech centred on technological development, youth empowerment and a modern Civil Defence network.
Announcements included AI skilling for one crore youth, free online coaching for exam aspirants and a sports talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi did not attend the event.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were absent
- What
- A 75-minute Independence Day speech from the Red Fort covering technology, youth empowerment, civil defence, women's reservation and sports
- Where
- The Red Fort in India
- When
- Saturday, on India's 80th Independence Day (August 15, 2026)
- Why
- To mark India's 80th Independence Day and announce the government's Saptadhara-vision initiatives on development, youth and security
Key facts
- Speech duration
- 75 minutes
- Consecutive Red Fort speeches
- 13 (PM Modi)
- Longest PM speech on record
- 103 minutes (PM Modi, 2025)
- Most consecutive speeches
- 17 (Jawaharlal Nehru)
- Key announcements
- AI skilling for 1 crore youth; free online coaching; Civil Defence network; sports talent hunt (ages 5-15)
- Women's reservation advocated
- 33%
- Leaders absent
- Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi
- Saptadhara streams of power
- Manufacturing; agriculture and food processing; technology and innovation; Gati-shakti connectivity; defence production; green and blue economy; soft power
Quotes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Indian Prime Minister
“I announce today from the Red Fort that we will establish a vibrant Civil Defence network in the coming days. We will familiarize them with modern systems. What measures can be put in place to protect citizens from modern‑day crises? We are going to create a massive, modern Civil Defence volunteer force capable of overcoming contemporary challenges.”
livemint.com
“Whether it is fighter jets or civil aviation, our daughters are at the forefront. Be it the sports arena or STEM education, our daughters are leading the way. Even in the armed forces, daughters graduating from the NDA are demonstrating the capability to lead the nation's military with great confidence and authority.”
livemint.com
Sources
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