Mbabane – The High Commission of India in Mbabane hosted members of the Indian diaspora and friends of India at India House on Saturday to mark the country’s 80th Independence Day.
High Commissioner N. Ram Prasad welcomed guests before delivering key extracts from the address by the President of India in Hindi and English.
The celebrations took place on 15 August 2026, with the High Commissioner saying the strong attendance on a Saturday was encouraging. Copies of the address had also been circulated to guests through WhatsApp. 
The President’s message reflected on India’s independence and the country’s progress towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, the centenary year of its independence.
The address paid tribute to the people who contributed to India’s freedom struggle, including Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. It also recognised the contributions of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Kranti Jyoti Savitribai Phule to social justice, education, women’s empowerment and equality.
The President said India’s Constitution was built on citizen participation and that public involvement remained central to the country’s democratic system.
Development and inclusion
The address stated that more than 25 crore people had been lifted out of poverty, while nearly 59 crore account holders had joined the banking system through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. More than 32 crore of those account holders are women.
The President also said food security had been provided to more than 80 crore people through free rations, while the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana had provided free healthcare coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh a year to 60 crore people.
Farmers involved in agriculture, dairy, poultry, fisheries and beekeeping had received support through the Kisan Samman Nidhi and Kisan Credit Card programmes.
India’s digital infrastructure was also cited as a major area of progress. The President said digital payments had become common in rural shops and among street vendors, with more than half of the world’s real time digital transactions taking place in India.
The government had used technology to deliver welfare benefits in a more transparent manner, while investment in highways, waterways, railways and airports had created opportunities for new enterprises, employment and investment.
Women and young people
The address noted the growing participation of women in education, sport, entrepreneurship, agriculture and national leadership.
At the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Indian women won eight of the country’s 13 gold medals, according to the speech.
More than 10 crore women are members of self-help groups, while the target of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis had been achieved. India is now working towards creating three crore additional Lakhpati Didis.
Women account for about two thirds of entrepreneurs who have received financial assistance under the Mudra Yojana.
The President also referred to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, enacted in 2023 to reserve 33 percent representation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
The address said women’s increased participation in leadership would make India’s democracy more inclusive.
Young people were described as one of India’s greatest national assets, with 65 percent of the population aged below 35. The President said young Indians were developing practical and innovative solutions to challenges at grassroots level.
The speech also referred to recent achievements in space exploration, including a successful rocket launch conducted by a young team with an average age of 28.
The government was said to be implementing reforms to make public examinations more transparent, secure and reliable, while preventing the use of unfair means.
The President called on families and communities to support the physical and mental wellbeing of young people as new economic activities create opportunities for employment and enterprise.
Security and foreign policy
The President referred to India’s military achievements, including the commemoration of Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26 July and the completion of one year since the launch of Operation Sindhoor on 7 May.
The operation against terrorism demonstrated the capability of the Indian armed forces to act with precision, according to the address.
“It sent a clear and firm message to terrorists and those who support them that no matter where they hide they will have to face the consequences of their actions.”
The speech also described the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with a country accused of harbouring terrorism as a decisive step taken in India’s national interest, particularly for farmers.
On foreign policy, the President said India remained committed to peace, cooperation, dialogue and the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which regards the world as one family.
India was also described as playing a leading role among countries of the Global South and supporting a rules based international order. The country is seeking greater representation for the international community in multilateral organisations, including the United Nations.
The address also referred to India’s renewable energy growth, environmental protection efforts and progress towards selected Sustainable Development Goals ahead of the 2030 deadline.
Message to Indians
The President said India’s development and the welfare of its people remained the central goals of building a developed nation.
Quoting Telugu poet and nationalist Rayaprolu Subbarao, the address said patriotism should be reflected in the welfare of people, noting that a country was not only its land but also its people.
The President called on Indians at home and abroad to contribute to the national effort to transform India into a developed country.
The address ended with a message of unity and national pride: “Let us dedicate ourselves to the national endeavour of making independent India a developed India with this inclusive spirit of patriotism.”
“Jai Hind. Jai Bharat.”
