![\"\u2018Freedom](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-133254341,imgsize-656448,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/leaders-wish-on-80th-independence-day.jpg\" "\\"File")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi<\/a>, Union ministers and opposition leaders on Saturday extended Independence Day greetings to citizens as India marked its 80th Independence Day, with leaders remembering the freedom struggle while highlighting their visions for the country’s future.Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to freedom fighters and said their courage and sacrifice continued to inspire India’s journey towards a developed nation.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge<\/a>, meanwhile, said constitutional values, democratic institutions and social harmony had faced “serious challenges” over the past decade.<\/p>\n In a post on X, PM Modi paid tribute to the freedom fighters who fought against colonial rule and said their dreams continued to inspire the country.“Warm greetings on the occasion of Independence Day. We remember with gratitude the countless freedom fighters whose courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment ensured the end of colonial rule. Their dreams continue to inspire us as we work together to build a Viksit Bharat,” he wrote.PM Modi added that India, “powered by 140 crore Indians”, was scaling new heights of progress and expressed hope that the country’s growth journey would accelerate further.Before his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, PM Modi also visited Raj Ghat and paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.Also read: PM Modi dons red tie-and-dye turban for Independence Day address<\/a>The Prime Minister is leading the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, with this year’s ceremony also marking 150 years of Vande Mataram and highlighting the role of youth in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.<\/p>\n Union home minister Amit Shah also extended his greetings and paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle.“Heartfelt Independence Day greetings to all fellow citizens of the country,” Shah said in a post on X.He said the country should use the occasion to resolve to accelerate the creation of a “developed, prosperous, and self-reliant India”.Defence minister Rajnath Singh said the freedom struggle had given Indians not only political freedom but also the responsibility to shape the country’s future.He called for a collective resolve to build a secure, strong, prosperous, self-reliant and developed India, while preserving its heritage and pursuing modernity, progress and innovation.<\/p>\n Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge struck a different note in his Independence Day message, saying India had made significant progress but that many aspirations remained unfulfilled.“Over the past decade, our Constitutional values, democratic institutions and social harmony have faced serious challenges,” Kharge said.He said freedom meant more than liberation from British rule and included the constitutional guarantees of equality, dignity, justice and freedom of expressionAlso read: ‘Vande Mataram’ played for first time as PM Modi addresses nation<\/a>Kharge also called for greater opportunities for young people, dignity and justice for farmers, equality for women and the “full measure of equality and justice” for Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, minorities and economically weaker sections.He said the country’s greatest resolve on Independence Day should be “hope”.<\/p>\n Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav called on citizens to protect the Constitution, saying: “Freedom comes from the Constitution itself.”He urged people to pledge to protect and uphold the continuity of the Constitution.<\/p>\n Share your thoughts in the comments<\/p>\n<\/div>\nPM Modi remembers freedom fighters, calls for faster progress<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh pay tribute to freedom fighters<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Kharge flags concerns over constitutional values<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Akhilesh, Sharad Pawar, Nitish Kumar extend greetings<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n