New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded President Droupadi Murmu's 'thoughtful' address on the eve of India's 79th Independence Day, which highlighted the collective progress of the nation and the opportunities ahead.

In a social media post on X, the Prime Minister said, 'On the eve of our Independence Day, Rashtrapati Ji has given a thoughtful address in which she has highlighted the collective progress of our nation and the opportunities ahead. She reminded us of the sacrifices that paved the way for India's freedom and called upon every citizen to contribute towards nation-building.'

https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1956001651250069611

Earlier today, in her address to the nation, President Droupadi Murmu extended her heartiest greetings to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.

'It is a matter of pride for all of us that Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated by every Indian with great enthusiasm. These are days that especially remind us of our being proud Indians,' President Murmu said at the beginning of her address.

She remembered the horrors of 1947 partition and said that countrymen should never forget the pain inflicted due to it, adding that terrible violence was witnessed in the course of events and that the nation pays tributes to the victims of the follies of history.

Addressing the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day, President Murmu paid tributes to the victims of the partition on the occasion of Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas (Partition Horrors Remembrance Day).

President Murmu highlighted India's journey of development since Independence, with a special focus on economic growth, technological advancements, and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future.

In her address to the nation on the eve of 79th Independence Day, President Murmu said that the country's 6.5 per cent GDP growth rate, controlled inflation rate, and rising exports are all key indicators that point to the Indian economy being in the pink of health.

She stated that India has made 'extraordinary progress' in all fields and is on the way to becoming a self-reliant nation.

'We started a new journey in 1947. After the long years of foreign rule, India was in utter poverty at the time of Independence. But in the 78 years since then, we have made extraordinary progress in all fields. India is well on the way to becoming a self-reliant nation and is moving ahead with great confidence,' President Murmu said.

She also called on citizens to 'buy and use Indian-made products' to strengthen the spirit of the Swadeshi Movement.

The President said, 'The idea of Swadeshi has been inspiring our national endeavours like the Make-in-India initiative and the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Let us resolve to buy and use Indian products.'

The President also praised the armed forces for their relentless efforts in guarding the nation during Operation Sindoor, which was launched in retaliation for the ghastly Pahalgam terror attack.

Labelling the gruesome killing of innocent civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam as 'cowardly and inhuman', President Murmu said that India's response in the form of Operation Sindoor will go down in history as an example of humanity's fight against terrorism. (ANI)