PM Modi calls out ‘rumours’ and fear-mongering over COVID, West Asia wars in I-Day address

Modi says India overcame crises through citizen-first governance and strategic planning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on India’s 80th Independence Day, highlighting how a citizen-first approach and well-conceived plans helped India navigate crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and wars in Ukraine and West Asia. He accused some individuals of spreading rumours to create anxiety about vaccine shortages, fuel, and fertiliser availability. Modi emphasized the government’s ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ principle, citing the expansion of piped gas infrastructure from 70 to 700 cities, connecting 1.75 crore households. He also noted progress in eliminating Naxalism, remembering security personnel killed in operations. In his speech, Modi urged political parties to increase women’s representation in legislatures, calling for 33% representation in state assemblies and the Lok Sabha. He expressed solidarity with families affected by recent floods and landslides.