PM’s address at closing ceremony of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav & Launch of Mera Yuva Bharat
Speaker: Narendra Modi
Date: 31 Oct, 2023

Bharat Mata ki- Jai! Speak alongside me with even greater intensity, with the voice that hasn’t echoed on this Kartavya Path in the past 75 years — Bharat Mata ki- Jai! Bharat Mata ki- Jai! Bharat Mata ki- Jai! My colleagues in the Union Cabinet, Amit Bhai, Kishan Reddy, Anurag Thakur, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Meenakshi Lekhi, Nisith Pramanik, and all my young friends and family members who have gathered here from across the nation! Kartavya Path is witnessing the culmination of a historic grand ceremony on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. March 12, 2021 marked the day of the Dandi Yatra. Inspired by Gandhi ji, the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, which commenced from Sabarmati Ashram on March 12, 2021, is culminating on the occasion of Sardar Saheb’s birth anniversary on October 31, 2023. Just as the citizens of the country connected with the Dandi Yatra after it commenced, similarly, the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence has seen such an overwhelming participation that a new history has been made. The Dandi Yatra had invigorated the spirit of independent Bharat. This 75-year journey is becoming a phase that materializes the dreams of a prosperous Bharat. The celebration of the Amrit Mahotsav, which has lasted for more than two years, is concluding with the end of ‘Meri Maati, Mera Desh’ campaign. Today, a memorial has also been inaugurated as a remembrance for the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. This memorial will forever remind the upcoming generations of this historic event. Awards have also been given to some states, ministries, and departments for their excellent arrangements. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the award winners and to the citizens of those states as well. My family members, On one hand, we are concluding a grand celebration today, and at the same time, we are also beginning a new resolve. Today, the foundation of Mera Yuva Bharat, i.e., MY Bharat, has been laid. Mera Yuva Bharat platform is going to play a significant role in nation-building in the 21st century. For this, I extend special congratulations to the country and the youth of the country. My family members, How the youth of Bharat can organize themselves and achieve every goal is exemplified by ‘Meri Maati, Mera Desh’ campaign. Millions of youth from villages and streets of the country are connected with this campaign of ‘Meri Maati, Mera Desh’. Lakhs of events have taken place across the country. Countless Indians have placed soil from their courtyards, their fields, in the ‘Amrit Kalash’ (urn of nectar) with their own hands. Over eight thousand five hundred ‘Amrit Kalash’ from all over the country have reached here today. Under this campaign, millions of Indians have taken the pledge of Panch Pran (five pledges). Millions of Indians have also uploaded their selfies on the campaign website. Friends, The question may arise in many people’s minds: why soil? Why urns are filled with soil? A poet has said – यह वह मिट्टी जिसके रस से, जीवन पलता आया, जिसके बल पर आदिम युग से,मानव चलता आया। यह तेरी सभ्यता संस्कृति, इस पर ही अवलंबित, युगों-युगों के चरण चिह्न, इसकी छाती पर अंकित। (This is the soil whose essence has unfolded life, On whose strength, humanity has walked since the ancient era. Dependent on this is your civilization, culture, Marked with symbols of ages on its chest.) Great civilizations have come to an end, but there is that consciousness, the life force in the soil of Bharat that has preserved this nation since time immemorial. This is the soil that connects our soul with identity and spirituality in every way from every corner of the country. By swearing on this soil, our brave hearts fought the battle for freedom. So many stories are intertwined with this soil. About a hundred years ago, a little boy was sowing wood in this soil. When his father asked what he was sowing, he replied, “I am sowing guns.” His father asked, “What will you do with guns?” And that boy said, “I will free my country.” When he grew up, that boy achieved the height of sacrifice, which is still difficult to reach today. That boy was none other than the brave martyr Bhagat Singh. A soldier once said for this soil: ”दिल से निकलेगी न मर कर भी वतन की उल्फ़त, मेरी मिट्टी से भी ख़ुशबू-ए-वफ़ा आएगी” (The love for the homeland will not fade even after death, The fragrance of loyalty will emanate from my soil.) Whether a farmer or a brave soldier, everyone has contributed their blood and sweat to this soil. It has been said for this soil, “This land is like sandalwood, every village is a land of austerity.” We all strive to apply this sandalwood, symbolic of the soil, on our foreheads. This thought resonates in our minds 24/7: जो माटी का कर्ज़ चुका दे, वही ज़िन्दगानी है।। जो माटी का कर्ज़ चुका दे, वही ज़िन्दगानी है।। (The one who repays the debt of the soil, that is true living. The one who repays the debt of the soil, that is true living.) Therefore, each particle of soil within these Amrit Kalash that have reached here is priceless. They are like the rice grains kept in Sudama’s pouch for us. Just as the wealth of a whole world was contained in the handful of rice in Sudama’s pouch, similarly, the dreams, aspirations, and countless resolutions of every family in the country are encapsulated in these thousands of Amrit Kalash. The soil that has reached here from every home and courtyard in the country will continue to remind us of the sense of duty. This soil will inspire us for the fulfillment of our commitment to a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed Bharat) and for even more hard work. संकल्प आज हम लेते हैं जन जन को जाके जगाएंगे, सौगंध मुझे इस मिट्टी की, हम भारत भव्य बनाएंगे। (Today, we make a commitment to awaken every individual, I swear by this soil, we will make Bharat glorious.) Friends, Along with this soil, plants from across the country are being used to create the Amrit Vatika here. Its inauguration has also taken place. This Amrit Vatika will inspire the coming generations towards ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. Few people may know that there is an artwork named ‘Jan Janani Janmabhoomi’ in the new Parliament building. It has been created by 75 female artists from every state of the country, using the soil of each state. This is also a great inspiration for all of us. My family members, The celebration of the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence continued for almost a thousand days. And in these thousand days, the biggest and most positive impact has been on the youth of Bharat. It has made the youth generation aware of the values of freedom. Friends, Like you, I too have not witnessed slavery. We have not experienced the yearning, the penance, and the sacrifice for freedom. Many of us were born after independence. I am the country’s first Prime Minister born after independence. I have also gained a lot of new knowledge during the Amrit Mahotsav. Many names of tribal warriors have come to light during this period. The entire country has come to know that during the long period of slavery, there was not a single moment when there was no movement for independence. No region, no class was untouched by these movements. When I was watching the Swaraj series on Doordarshan, the emotions I had were the same as I see in the youth of the country today. The Amrit Mahotsav has brought many stories of the independence movement to light. Friends, The entire country turned the Amrit Mahotsav into a celebration of the masses. The success of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is the success of every Indian. For millions of families in the country, this is the first time they have realized that their families, their villages also had an active contribution to independence. Although it may not be mentioned in the history books, now it is permanently recorded in the memorials and inscriptions in every village. The Amrit Mahotsav has, in a way, connected the forgotten pages of history to the future generations. A significant database has been prepared highlighting the active involvement of freedom fighters in the independence movement. Heroes like Alluri Sitarama Raju, Varikuti Chennayya, Tantia Bhil, Tirot Sing, and many others across the country are now known for their contributions. We also paid homage to the women power of the country from Kittur Rani Chennamma, Rani Gaidinliu, Rani Velu Nachiyar, Matangini Hazra, Rani Lakshmibai to the brave Jhalkaribai during the Amrit Mahotsav. My family members, When intentions are good, and the overwhelming spirit of the nation comes first, the results are bound to be the best. Bharat has achieved historic milestones during this Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. We successfully faced the biggest crisis of the century, the COVID pandemic, and during this period, we charted the roadmap for building a developed Bharat. Bharat emerged as the world’s fifth-largest economy during the Amrit Mahotsav. Despite facing major global challenges, Bharat became the fastest growing economy during the Amrit Mahotsav. We landed our Chandrayaan on the moon. Bharat hosted the historic G-20 summit. Bharat set a record of more than 100 medals in the Asian Games and Asian Para Games. During the Amrit Mahotsav, Bharat also received a new Parliament building for the 21st century. The historic Nari Shakti Vandana Adhiniyam, empowering women, was enacted. Bharat set new records in exports and agricultural production. During this period, there was an unprecedented expansion of the Vande Bharat trains. The Amrit Bharat Station campaign to transform railway stations was also launched. The country got the first regional rapid train, Namo Bharat. Over 65,000 Amrit Sarovars were built nationwide. Bharat launched Made in India 5G and there was rapid expansion of this network. The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan was also launched during this period for infrastructure building. I can place countless achievements before you. My family members, The country also completed a journey from Rajpath to Kartavya Path during the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. We have removed many symbols of slavery. And now, there is a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the first Prime Minister of Azad Hind Government, on one side of Kartavya Path. Our Navy now has a new flag inspired by the vision of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The islands of Andaman and Nicobar have been given the indigenous name during this Amrit Mahotsav. During this Amrit Mahotsav, ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ (Tribal Pride Day) was announced. The announcement of Veer Bal Diwas was made in memory of the Sahabzadas during this Amrit Mahotsav. It was during the Amrit Mahotsav that August 14th was commemorated as ‘Vibhajan Vibhishika Diwas’ (Partition Horrors Remembrance Day). My family members, It is said in our country: अंत: अस्ति प्रारंभ: i.e., where it ends, ultimately there begins something new. With the conclusion of the Amrit Mahotsav, today marks the beginning of Mera Yuva Bharat, MY Bharat. Mera Yuva Bharat platform– MY Bharat — is a proclamation of the youth power of Bharat. It will serve as a significant means to bring every youth of the country onto one stage, one platform. It will ensure maximum participation of the country’s youth in nation-building. All the various programs run for the youth will be encompassed in it. Today, the MY Bharat website has also been launched. I would urge the youth of today to get involved with it as much as possible. Infuse Bharat with new energy, make a resolution to lead Bharat forward, put in effort, show courage, and stay committed to achieving success. Friends, The independence of Bharat is the realization of our shared resolutions. Together, we must continuously defend it. We have to make Bharat a developed country by 2047 when the nation celebrates 100 years of independence. On the completion of 100 years of independence, the country will remember this special day. The commitments we made, the promises we pledged to the coming generations, we must fulfill them. Therefore, we need to accelerate our efforts. The contribution of every Indian is crucial to achieving the goal of a developed nation. Let us embark on a new journey of the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of a developed Bharat, starting from the conclusion of the Amrit Mahotsav. Turn dreams into resolutions, make hard work the subject of resolutions, and only stop when we achieve success in 2047. Come on, young ones, let’s begin this journey with the same determination. Today on the occasion of the launch of this MY Bharat platform, I tell you all to take out your mobile phone, turn on its flashlight. There is this new colour of the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence all around, this new enthusiasm, this new opportunity too, speak with me – Bharat Mata ki- Jai! Bharat Mata ki- Jai! Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram! Thanks a lot!