Mon Aug 18 04:00:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**Indian Stock Market Soars Following PM Modi’s Independence Day Announcements**

**Mumbai, August 18, 2025** – Indian stock markets witnessed a significant surge this morning, fueled by announcements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the nation’s 79th Independence Day celebrations. The BSE Sensex jumped by 906.99 points (1.13%) to reach 81,504.65, while the Nifty 50 climbed 288.25 points (1.17%) to 24,919.55.

The positive market sentiment was primarily driven by the Prime Minister’s pledge to introduce GST reforms by Diwali, aimed at easing the tax burden on the general public and small businesses. Furthermore, the continued emphasis on “Swadeshi” (indigenous production) also boosted investor confidence.

Across the board, Nifty sectoral indices were trading in the green, with mid-cap and small-cap stocks experiencing strong buying interest. The overall market capitalization of BSE-listed companies increased by a staggering ₹5.77 lakh crore in early trading, representing a substantial wealth gain for investors.

“The market has reacted positively to the government’s commitment to simplifying the tax structure and promoting domestic industries,” said [Insert Name of Analyst/Market Expert – since the text doesn’t provide one]. “The proposed GST reforms are seen as a major step towards improving ease of doing business and boosting consumer spending.”

Out of the 30 stocks listed on the Sensex, 26 were trading positively, with Maruti, Bajaj Finance, and HUL leading the gains. On the other hand, Sun Pharma, HCLTech, and L&T experienced declines. On the BSE, 2137 stocks are increasing in value, in comparison to 602 that are declining.

Trading volume was high, with 2923 shares being traded on the BSE. 61 stocks hit a 52-week high, while 25 touched a 52-week low. Also, 110 shares hit the upper circuit and 87 shares hit the lower circuit.

The market’s strong performance reflects renewed investor optimism in the Indian economy and the government’s reform agenda.

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