When PM Modi took oath on June 9, he equalled first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s record of three terms. (Getty)
78th Independence Day: PM Narendra Modi has spoken nearly 83,000 words from the ramparts of Red Fort as part of his Independence Day address since he assumed office in 2014
As India celebrates the 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his 11th speech on Thursday, marking his first speech since securing a record third term in office.
An Independence Day speech reflects the nation’s progress, achievements, and future goals.
He is the third prime minister, after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, to address the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 11 consecutive August 15 occasions. Modi will surpass former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who delivered 10 Independence Day speeches during his tenure.
Longest Speeches in History of Independent India
PM Modi holds the record for delivering the longest Independence Day speeches, with an average duration of 82 minutes—longer than any other prime minister in India’s history.
Modi’s speeches have varied in length, from the shortest at 55 minutes in 2017 to the longest at 94 minutes in 2016.
Former Prime Minister IK Gujral speech, with an average of 71 minutes, in 1997, comes closest to Modi’s record.
According to government archives, the duration of Independence Day speeches has increased over the years. Nehru’s inaugural address in 1947 lasted only 24 minutes, while Indira Gandhi previously held the record for the longest speech before Modi, delivering a 54-minute address in 1972.
Analysis of PM Modi I-Day Speeches From 2014
PM Modi has spoken nearly 83,000 words from the ramparts of Red Fort as part of his Independence Day address since he assumed office in 2014, as per a report by Moneycontrol.
He has used Independence Day as an occasion to mention government’s schemes in his speeches. In 2017, Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) payment application and digital currency found reference for the first time in his speech. The announcement came after demonetisation, which was announced on November 8, 2016.
As per a report by Moneycontrol, Modi announced the Vishwakarma scheme to provide credit and skilling support to artisans and craftspeople. Governance as it appeared five times over the past decade in his speeches.
Agriculture topped the list in 2015, 2018 and 2020, followed by corruption in 2022 and 2023 in the run up to a key election year. Women, farmers, health tax and poverty took centre-stage in his speeches ahead of his reelection in both 2019 and 2014.
In the 2023 Independence Day speech, Modi invoked ‘2047’ seven times while it found reference in each of his speeches since 2021.
What was Nehru’s First Independence Day Speech?
‘Tryst with Destiny’ is considered one of the most profound speeches of the 20th speeches. Nehru’s speech on India’s first Independence Day was delivered to the Indian Constituent Assembly in Parliament, just before midnight on August 15, 1947.
Nehru’s speech began: “Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom…”
Nehru also said, referring to Mahatma Gandhi, “…The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us, but so long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over. And so we have to labour and to work, and work hard, to give reality to our dreams. Those dreams are for India, but they are also for the world.”
Nehru was referring to the process of decolonisation that was taking place around the world, particularly in Africa and Asia.