SATV, Kathmandu, Aug. 19 - President Droupadi Murmu, in her Independence Day-eve address to the nation, said that making India Naxal-free is a major national achievement. On the eve of India’s 80th Independence Day, President Murmu said, “For decades, Naxalism posed a serious challenge to the nation. Making India Naxal free is a major achievement. Today, enthusiasm

prevails in the areas once affected by Naxalism. All-inclusive development is underway in these regions.”

This is an annual address held ahead of Independence Day celebrations. The main celebration takes place at the Red Fort in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister hoists the national flag and addresses the nation on August 15.

Last year’s speech: On the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu said the nation is on the path to becoming self-reliant and is progressing with great confidence. Citing a GDP growth rate of 6.5 per cent in the last fiscal year, she said that India remains the fastest-growing major economy in the world. She also hailed the completion of the rail link in the Kashmir Valley as a significant achievement that will boost trade and tourism.

The President also used the opportunity to highlight India’s strides in self-dependence in defence manufacturing. “Operation Sindoor was also a test case of the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission in the defence sector. The outcome has proved that we are on the right path. Our indigenous manufacturing has achieved the critical level that makes us self-sufficient in meeting many of our security requirements,” Murmu said.