PM Modi Shares Warm Moment With Schoolchildren After Red Fort Address

New Delhi, August 15, 2026; Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a warm and memorable moment with schoolchildren at the Red Fort on Saturday after delivering his Independence Day address to the nation.

As soon as the Prime Minister concluded his speech, a group of schoolchildren dressed in white, green and saffron moved towards him. Modi stopped to meet the children, shook hands with several of them and exchanged greetings, bringing a personal touch to the conclusion of the national ceremony.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi led the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort. He hoisted the National Flag from the ramparts and addressed the nation, outlining his vision of a developed and self-reliant India by 2047.

PM attends the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, in Delhi on August 15, 2026.

This year’s celebrations carried added significance as India marked 150 years of Vande Mataram. For the first time, the National Song was rendered as part of the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort. Modi described the occasion as historic and connected the spirit of Vande Mataram with India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation.

During his address, the Prime Minister called for collective efforts to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, saying it reflected the aspirations of more than 140 crore Indians. He highlighted India’s progress in digital connectivity, digital payments, piped gas, renewable energy and railway electrification as indicators of the country’s development.

Modi also stressed the importance of Make in India and greater self-reliance in strategic areas, including critical minerals, energy security and data centres. On energy security, he said India is targeting 100 GW of nuclear power generation by 2047 while continuing to expand solar energy.

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s expanding infrastructure and connectivity, including railway electrification, modern highways and waterways. He also called for the next phase of reforms, describing the country as being on a “Reform Express”.

PM attends the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, in Delhi on August 15, 2026.

Under his Sapta Dhara vision, Modi outlined seven broad areas for India’s next phase of growth. These included strengthening manufacturing and global supply chains, improving food production and processing, encouraging technology and innovation, expanding connectivity through initiatives such as Gati Shakti, strengthening defence capabilities, developing the green and blue economy and enhancing India’s soft power.

Youth remained a central theme of the Prime Minister’s address. Modi described young Indians as both major beneficiaries and key drivers of Viksit Bharat. He said more than Rs 1 lakh crore had been allocated for innovation and highlighted programmes such as Digital India, Skill India, Khelo India and the National Education Policy.

He also announced plans to train more than one crore young people in Artificial Intelligence over the next year and spoke about providing free online coaching for competitive examinations. The government, he said, would also focus on identifying sporting talent among children aged 5 to 15 years to strengthen India’s participation across sporting disciplines at the 2036 Olympics.

On national security, Modi reiterated the government’s resolve to make India free from Naxalism and Maoism and announced plans to create a civil defence network. He also urged political parties to support the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to strengthen women’s representation in public life.

Before the ceremony, the Prime Minister was received at the Red Fort by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. He inspected a Guard of Honour comprising personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police.

The flag-hoisting ceremony was accompanied by a 21-gun salute fired by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns.

The 80th Independence Day celebrations were held under the theme “Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047”, highlighting the role of India’s youth in shaping the country’s future. The occasion also marked Modi’s 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort.

At the end of the formal ceremony, his interaction with the schoolchildren provided a warm conclusion to the Independence Day celebrations, as the young visitors got an opportunity to meet and shake hands with the Prime Minister at the historic venue.