PM Modi’s Independence Day speech: One crore youth to get AI training, free competitive exam coaching

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made several major announcements aimed at attracting India’s Gen Z during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort. He announced that one crore young people will be trained in artificial intelligence (AI), while free online coaching classes will be provided for competitive examinations. He also said a civil defence volunteer force would be formed to strengthen the country’s security.

The announcements focusing on young people assume significance against the backdrop of the recent Gen Z protests over question paper leaks, which had put the Centre under pressure and eventually led to the resignation of the Education Minister.

Modi also said India would be made a major sporting power. As part of this effort, he announced the ‘Sports Talent Hunt’ programme to identify and train talented children aged between five and 15. He also stressed the need to make the youth drug-free. Young people were also urged to help their parents provide information for the Census.

This was Modi’s 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort. His address lasted 78 minutes, during which he used the phrase ‘Mere Pyare Deshvasiyon’ 40 times. For the first time at the Red Fort, ‘Vande Mataram’ was performed in its complete version.

‘Saptadhara’ action plan for developed India

Prime Minister Modi also announced the 'Saptadhara' action plan to achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047. The seven areas under the plan are manufacturing, agriculture, technology, Gati Shakti, defence, the green and blue economy, and Indian soft power. He said the Centre and states must work together to achieve the goal and stressed the need for India to become self-reliant faster. India has signed free trade agreements with more than 40 countries, which he said had given a boost to the entrepreneurial sector. He also stressed the need to increase exports of marine products, including Kerala’s shrimp.

8 semiconductor manufacturing plants

• Eight semiconductor manufacturing plants will be established in the next two years.
• India aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
• New nuclear reactors will be established within the next seven years.
• At least five of the world’s major banks should be Indian.
• At least one of the world’s five largest pharmaceutical companies should be from India.