New Delhi [India], August 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the nation during his 12th Independence Day from the Red Fort, called for Indians to create their own operating system and cybersecurity and make themselves self-reliant in the field of IT.

He mentioned that we are living in the age of IT and stated that we should have our operating systems, cybersecurity, deep tech, and artificial intelligence. PM Modi pointed towards India's homemade real-time payment app, UPI, and called it the testament of India's capabilities.

He said, 'Today is the time for IT. Isn't it the demand of the hour that, from operating systems to cybersecurity, from deep tech to artificial intelligence, we should have everything of our own--something made entirely through the capabilities of our people, which speaks to the world about Indian talent. There are so many social media platforms, and our people work on them. Our UPI payment app has amazed the world. India alone contributes 50% of transactions in real-time payments through UPI, and this is a testament to Indian capability.'

He further added, 'Be it in the creative field or social media, the youth of this nation should challenge themselves and bring others onto our platform. Why should we be dependent on others? Why let Indian money go out of the country?'

PM Modi called for self-reliance in the field of IT and said, 'I have trust in your capabilities.'

Meanwhile, approximately 5,000 special guests, from different walks of life, have been invited to witness the celebrations at the Red Fort this year, including the Indian contingent of Special Olympics 2025, the winners of international sports events, the Gold Medalists of Khelo India Para Games, and the best-performing farmers trained & financially assisted under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission.

To promote patriotic fervour among citizens and to celebrate the victory of Operation Sindoor, a number of band performances will be conducted pan-India for the first time on the evening of Independence Day celebrations. The performances will be conducted by the bands of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, NCC, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, BSF, IDS, RPF and Assam Rifles at over 140 prominent locations throughout the country. (ANI)