From the archive record
In this archival Independence Day footage from the Red Fort, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addresses the nation while reflecting on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. He speaks about the Dandi March as a defining moment in India’s freedom struggle and highlights Gandhi’s vision of Poorna Swaraj, which aimed to ensure dignity, equality, and access to basic facilities for every individual. Dr. Singh emphasizes that this vision went beyond political independence, focusing on social justice and inclusive development. He then turns inward, reflecting on how close modern India has come to the nation that Mahatma Gandhi had imagined. Dr. Singh highlights India’s economic progress, pointing to sustained GDP growth, rising development indicators, and expanding opportunities across sectors. Hi