As India celebrates its 74th Independence Day on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the rampart of Red Fort. 

In his 7th Independence Day speech, PM Modi stressed on being self-reliant and asked the fellow Indians to promote the idea of being “Vocal for Local.” “We should appreciate our local products. There is a need to stop exporting raw material, and importing finished goods,” said PM Modi.

He said, “In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, 130 crore Indians have pledged to build an Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. India’s share in world economy should increase for which we have to be self-reliant.”

Read: PM Modi pays tribute to COVID-19 warriors, says India working on 3 vaccines

The PM added that it was necessary to prepare “ourselves to make India a self-reliant country.”

He also paid special tribute to the COVID-19 warriors, health workers, who are fighting the pandemic on the frontline. He extended his condolences to families who lost their loved ones in this battle against coronavirus.