PM Modi announces next-gen GST reforms as Diwali gift in I-Day address
In his 12th Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced next-generation GST reforms, which will reduce the tax burden across the country
 "PM Modi announces next-gen GST reforms as Diwali gift in I-Day address")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday promised a “Diwali gift” for citizens in the form of the next generation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms.
Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort during his Independence Day address, PM Modi said the reforms would ease the tax burden nationwide.
“This Diwali, I am going to make it a double Diwali for you. The citizens will receive a big gift on this Diwali… We are bringing next-generation GST reforms. This will reduce the tax burden across the country. This will be a gift ahead of Diwali,” he said.
After hoisting the national flag, PM Modi opened his speech by calling the festival of freedom “a festival of 1.4 billion resolutions” and extended greetings to all Indians. He said the Constitution had been guiding the nation “like a lighthouse” for the past 75 years.
PM Modi hails India's success in Operation Sindoor
Praising the Indian armed forces, PM Modi saluted them for executing Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists
PM Modi said that after the attack, the Indian armed forces were given complete freedom to decide the strategy, to set the target, and the forces achieved what had not happened in decades.
Speaking about the damage inflicted by the Indian armed forces during the night of May 6-7, PM Modi said that the devastation in Pakistan was so extensive that new revelations are emerging every day.
He further added that India has been tolerating terrorism for decades, but a new normal has been established now. The Prime Minister said that India will no longer separate the act of terrorism from those backing it.
'Blood and water will not run together': PM Modi on Indus Waters Treaty suspension
Backing the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan following the downgrading of the diplomatic ties, PM Modi said: “Blood and water will not run together anymore.”
Calling the treaty one-sided and unjust, the Prime Minister asserted that India and its farmers have “sole right” over the country’s share of the Indus river water.
“India has endured this for decades. We will not endure it any further. In the interest of our farmers, in the interest of the nation, this agreement is unacceptable to us,” he said.
PM Modi backs self-reliance and Atmanirbharta
PM Modi urged Indians to embrace Atmanirbharta (self-reliance). “Atmanirbharta is not restricted solely to the rupee, pound, or dollar; it is related to our capabilities. Made-in-India worked so well that the enemy did not even realise what was destroying them," he said. Adding, "Imagine, had we not been Atmanirbhar, could we have executed Operation Sindoor as smoothly?”