India Marks 80th Independence Anniversary In Abuja With Fanfare

By Innocent Odoh, Abuja

The Indian community marked an ecstatic celebration of India’s 80th Independence Day, with Indians joined by members of the diplomatic community for the colourful festivities in Abuja on Saturday.

A resplendent Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, read the speech of the Indian President, Droupadi Murmu, which commended poverty reduction, digital revolution, and Nari Shakti as drivers of growth, while laying out a vision of an inclusive and self-reliant India.

According to her, India is marching ahead to build a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, with development reaching every citizen.

She said India’s true freedom lies in ensuring every citizen can fulfil their aspirations and contribute to making India “the foremost nation in the world,” even as she highlighted the over a decade of “rapid and inclusive development” guided by the spirit of Antyodaya.

Citing achievements, she said more than 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty, as under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, nearly 59 crore people have joined the banking system, with 32 crore women account holders.

Free rations, she said, have ensured food security for over 80 crore people, while Ayushman Bharat provides free healthcare cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year to 60 crore people, stressing  India’s global leadership in digital public infrastructure.

“More than half of the world’s real-time digital transactions take place in India,” she said, adding that digital payments are now common even in rural shops and among street vendors.

Focusing more on women and youth in her speech, the President said girls are performing exceptionally well in education, and women’s participation is rising across sectors, from “Drone Didi” in agriculture to women Fighter Combat Leaders in the Air Force.

She praised young innovators, including a space team with an average age of 28, and the booming start-up ecosystem driven by young entrepreneurs.

The President also hailed the Armed Forces and recalled Operation Sindoor and Kargil Vijay Diwas, saying the operation sent “a clear and firm message to terrorists and those who support them.”

She also termed the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with a country that harbours terrorism a “decisive step in the interest of our nation, especially the farmers.”

On the environment, she urged citizens to join campaigns like ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ and LIFE, quoting a Santali song by Pandit Raghunath Murmu on preserving nature and human values.

In foreign policy, President Murmu said peace, cooperation, dialogue and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam remain India’s core pillars, stressing that her country is playing a leading role in the Global South and pushing for a rules-based international order with greater representation in the UN and other multilateral forums.