President of India Droupadi Murmu has called on Indians to remain committed to inclusive development, national unity, social justice and environmental protection as the country marks the 80th year of its independence.
Murmu made the call in her address to the nation on Friday, August 14, 2026, on the eve of India’s 80th Independence Day, while paying tribute to the millions of citizens whose contributions have sustained the country’s democratic and developmental journey.
The President said the essence of independence was not merely political freedom but ensuring that every citizen had the opportunity to fulfil their aspirations and contribute to India’s emergence as a leading nation.
She commended students, teachers, scientists, engineers, doctors, healthcare workers, farmers, workers, sportspersons, artisans, artists, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, public officials, civil servants, social workers and sanitation workers for their contributions to nation-building.
Murmu also praised the Indian Armed Forces, Armed Police Forces and police personnel for their dedication to national security, while acknowledging the role of the Indian diaspora and diplomatic officials in promoting the country’s image and interests abroad.
The President said India was advancing towards the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of independence, with the principle of Antyodaya—ensuring that the benefits of development reach the last person—at the centre of the national development agenda.
She said the country was seeking to balance modernisation with its cultural heritage and the ideals of the freedom struggle.
According to her, the spirit of service embodied in the ancient Vedic exhortation, “Vayam Rashtre Jagriyam”, remained relevant as Indians worked collectively for national progress.
Murmu recalled the unity displayed during the freedom struggle, noting that Indians with diverse ideologies came together around the common objective of achieving independence.
She paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Savitribai Phule, Jyotiba Phule and other leaders whose contributions, she said, continued to inspire India’s democratic and social transformation.
The President also used the occasion to remember victims of the 1947 Partition as India observed Vibhajan Vibheeshika Smriti Divas on August 14.
She said millions of Indians lost their lives or were displaced as a result of communal violence during Partition, describing the episode as one of the country’s most painful historical experiences.
Murmu said the survivors endured displacement and immense hardship but preserved their identity and rebuilt their lives.
She also recalled the enormous challenge of integrating more than 550 princely states into independent India, crediting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with playing a decisive role in bringing the territories together under the new democratic republic.
The President paid tribute to Patel, whom she described as the “sculptor of the unity of modern India.”
Murmu said India’s Constitution was founded on people’s participation and reflected the country’s longstanding democratic traditions.
She noted that citizens were increasingly participating in national campaigns and public initiatives, describing such participation as an achievement and strength of Indian democracy.
The President stressed that equality of status and opportunity, together with individual dignity, remained among the Constitution’s most cherished ideals.
She said the three organs of government had clearly defined responsibilities, with legislators expected to give voice to citizens’ aspirations, the Executive responsible for implementing policies in the public interest, and the Judiciary charged with ensuring access to justice.
Murmu particularly emphasised the need to guarantee timely and dignified justice to citizens, especially people from deprived sections of society who might otherwise be disadvantaged by a lack of resources.
the President highlighted what she described as rapid and inclusive economic and social development, greater harmonisation between heritage and modernisation, and the removal of longstanding barriers to development.
She cited the contributions of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Kranti-Jyoti Savitribai Phule to social justice, education, women’s empowerment and equality, as India commemorates Jyotiba Phule’s 200th birth anniversary.
Murmu said more than 25 crore people had been lifted out of poverty, while the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana had brought nearly 59 crore people into the formal banking system.
Of those beneficiaries, she said, more than 32 crore were women.
She also highlighted the government’s provision of free food grains to more than 80 crore people and healthcare coverage of up to ₹5 lakh annually to 60 crore people under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
The President said initiatives including the Kisan Samman Nidhi and Kisan Credit Cards had provided support to farmers and people engaged in allied activities such as dairy, poultry, fisheries and beekeeping.
Murmu said India’s digital infrastructure had become a major driver of economic transformation, with digital payments becoming increasingly common even among rural traders and street vendors.
She said more than half of the world’s real-time digital transactions were taking place in India, describing the country’s digital transformation as an example for the international community.
According to the President, technology had also enabled government welfare programmes to reach beneficiaries in a more transparent manner.
She further pointed to the expansion of highways, waterways, railways and aviation infrastructure, saying the development of modern connectivity was creating opportunities for businesses, generating employment and strengthening investor confidence.
Murmu said global warfare and instability continued to affect countries around the world, but India had maintained its economic momentum despite the difficult international environment.
She described India as the fastest-growing major economy in the world and said projections indicated that the country’s growth rate was expected to remain more than twice the global average.
The President said the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan had strengthened the foundations of India’s economic development and national security.
She also highlighted India’s growing role in global environmental action, noting that the country had achieved some Sustainable Development Goals ahead of the 2030 deadline and had witnessed significant expansion in renewable energy.
On foreign policy, Murmu said national interest remained its foundation, with peace, cooperation, dialogue and the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam serving as key principles.
She said India had entered into Free Trade Agreements with several countries to strengthen economic cooperation and bilateral relations and continued to play a leading role among countries of the Global South.
The President reiterated India’s support for a rules-based international order and greater representation for the global community in the United Nations and other multilateral institutions.
Murmu urged Indians to protect natural resources for future generations, stressing that development must not undermine the rights of those who would inherit the country.
She linked environmental protection to India’s cultural traditions and quoted a Santali song by Pandit Raghunath Murmu to illustrate the importance of preserving nature and human values.
Using the imagery of a dying tree and a grieving parrot, the President said the song conveyed a powerful message about humanity’s responsibility to protect the natural environment and its cultural and moral foundations.
She urged citizens to support initiatives such as Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), saying individual and collective action was necessary to preserve the environment.
The President expressed satisfaction with the growing achievements of Indian women in education, sports, agriculture, defence, entrepreneurship and public leadership.
She noted that women were increasingly occupying diverse roles, ranging from Drone Didis contributing to agricultural productivity to women serving in senior combat-related positions in the Armed Forces.
Murmu highlighted India’s performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where women won eight of the country’s 13 gold medals.
She said more than 10 crore women were members of Self-Help Groups and that the target of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis had been achieved, with the country now pursuing the creation of another three crore women entrepreneurs with sustainable incomes.
She also noted that women accounted for about two-thirds of entrepreneurs who had received financial assistance under the MUDRA Yojana.
The President pointed to the enactment of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023, which provides for 33 per cent representation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, describing the measure as an important step towards a more inclusive democracy.
Murmu said India’s young population was one of its greatest strengths, noting that about 65 per cent of the country’s population was below the age of 35.
She praised young Indians for developing innovative solutions to problems at the grassroots level and highlighted the role of young entrepreneurs in building India’s expanding start-up ecosystem.
The President also referred to India’s growing achievements in space exploration, noting the recent successful rocket launch by a young team whose average age was 28.
She said India’s youth were increasingly embracing entrepreneurship and job creation while Indian professionals were taking leadership positions in major global companies.
Murmu said the achievements of young Indians had strengthened India’s reputation internationally and expressed confidence that the country’s younger generation would contribute to a prosperous future.
The President described students as the architects of India’s future and called for collective efforts to protect their educational and career prospects.
She said public examinations served as gateways to opportunities and stressed the importance of eliminating malpractice and unfair means from examination systems.
According to Murmu, the government was undertaking comprehensive reforms to make public examinations more transparent, secure and trustworthy.
She urged young people to explore emerging economic sectors and new employment opportunities created by government initiatives and changing economic activities.
The President also stressed the importance of physical and mental wellbeing among young people, saying families and society had a shared responsibility to support them.
Murmu said sports were increasingly being used as an instrument for youth development and nation-building.
She cited the Khelo India programme, through which a sports ecosystem was being developed from the grassroots to the national level, and said increased investment was producing improvements in India’s performance at international sporting events.
At the same time, she noted the rising number of senior citizens and called for greater societal sensitivity towards their welfare and dignity.
She said approximately six crore senior citizens aged 70 and above could access free healthcare services of up to ₹5 lakh annually, while urging society to ensure that older people continued to feel respected and valued.
The President also paid tribute to India’s Armed Forces, recalling Kargil Vijay Diwas and the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor.
She said Operation Sindoor had demonstrated the Armed Forces’ ability to conduct precise operations against terrorism and sent a strong message to terrorists and their supporters that they would face consequences for their actions.
Murmu also described the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with a country she accused of harbouring terrorism as a decisive measure taken in India’s national interest, particularly in relation to farmers.
She said India’s tradition of confronting forces hostile to humanity and defending truth and justice remained a source of national pride.
The President described India’s progress towards becoming Naxal-free as a significant national achievement.
She said areas previously affected by Left-Wing Extremism were witnessing renewed enthusiasm and inclusive development.
Murmu cited the Bastar Olympics and Bastar Pandum cultural festival as examples of how sports and cultural activities were helping showcase the talents and aspirations of communities in regions once affected by Naxalism.
The President also highlighted India’s growing recognition of its cultural and historical heritage on the international stage.
She noted that 12 forts associated with the Maratha military tradition had been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in the previous year.
She also pointed to the inclusion of Sarnath, the site associated with Bhagwan Buddha’s first sermon, in the UNESCO World Heritage List this year.
According to Murmu, these sites represent two complementary dimensions of India’s civilisational heritage: its spiritual traditions and its historical struggles to protect national identity and cultural values.
As India prepares to celebrate its 80th Independence Day, President Murmu urged citizens to carry forward the ideals of the freedom struggle while embracing innovation, development, social justice and environmental responsibility.
She said India’s journey towards 2047 would require the participation of every citizen and reaffirmed the vision of an India in which development reaches all sections of society, opportunities are accessible to everyone, and the country’s rich heritage continues to coexist with modern progress.
