New Delhi, Aug. 16 -- Marking his 12th Independence Day address, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi made a series of bold announcements that reflected a vision for a nation ready to leap, not merely step, into the future. From making India's first semiconductor chip to building jet engines, from a tenfold nuclear expansion to a Rs.1 lakh crore youth employment push, his message was clear-Bharat will define its own destiny, set its own terms, and aim to become a developed nation by 2047.

On semiconductors, the Prime Minister recalled how attempts to set up factories 50-60 years ago were "killed at birth" while other nations prospered. He announced that India is now in mission mode and that by the end of this year, the nation will roll out its fi...