72nd Independence Day: PM Modi at Red Fort
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the occasion of India's 72nd Independence Day, his fifth speech after the BJP-led NDA came to power in 2014.
This was PM Modi's last address before the nation goes into 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The speech was closely watched by political pundits as agenda for next big polls. (Catch LIVE Updates on Independence Day celebrations across the nation here)
Top Highlights:
PM Modi's speech and 72nd Independence Day: Watch full speech here
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09:00 am: Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort culminate with nation anthem.
08:55 am: Once again, I convey my greetings to the people of India on Independence Day: PM
08:52 am: We want to progress more. There is no question of stopping or getting tired on the way: PM
08:51 am: I am impatient as there are nations who are ahead of our country, I am impatient to take the country on number 1 spot: PM
08:47 am: We are moving forward with the aim of 'sabka sath sabka vikas': PM
08:46 am: In Kashmir, we have taken the path shown by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which is the correct path. We do not seek to walk the path of of bullets and abuses (goli and gali), but of peace and cooperation. In coming months, people in Kashmiri villages will get a chance to elect their own Panchayats: PM
08:45 am: I am happy to announce that due to continuous efforts of our armed forces, the situation has come under control in sensitive regions and AFSPA has been removed from Tripura and Meghalaya, along with parts of Arunachal Pradesh. The Left-wing Naxalism has been reduced from 126 districts to just 90 districts. There is a sense of internal security in India: PM
08:43 am: I am proud of the fact that three women judges in Supreme Court are delivering justice. Since independence, this is the first cabinet where so many women are a part of the cabinet: PM
08:42 am: The practice of Triple Talaq has caused great injustice among Muslim women. We are trying to end this practice but there are some people who are not wanting it to end. I ensure the Muslim women that I will work to ensure justice is done to them: PM
08:41 am: We have to free our society and country from the mentality of rape. Recently in Madhya Pradesh a rapist was hanged by fast track court. We should spread this news and make people aware. Rule of law is supreme, no one can take law in their hands: PM Modi
08:40 am: Incidents of rape are painful for the victim, but the nation must feel rape victim's pain a thousand times over. There is a need to expedite the justice in rape cases: PM
08:38 am: Women personnel recruited through short service commission to be given permanent commission like men in armed forces: PM
08:37 am: On one hand our armed forces help Indians during natural calamities, on the other they carry out surgical strikes on the enemy when needed: PM Narendra Modi at Red Fort
08:37 am: In today's India there is no place for nepotism. We have ensured environmental clearances are done transparently:
08:36 am: We will not spare the corrupt and those who stashed black money. They have ruined the country. Delhi's streets are now free from power brokers. From the voice of power brokers, the voice of the poor is heard: PM
08:35 am: The rumours being spread about not paying tax payers hamper nation's development. Your tax is being used for nation's development, and we stand here to make sure that it is not wasted on corrupt practices and to benefit people with vested interests: Pm
08:30 am: The honest taxpayer of India has a major role in the progress of the nation. It is due to them that so many people are fed, the lives of the poor are transformed. Credit of social schemes goes to honest tax payers. When the honest tax payer has a meal, his tax is feeding three poor families and it's credit goes to them: PM
08:27 am: The healthcare initiatives of the Government of India will have a positive impact on 50 crore Indians. It is essential to ensure that we free the poor of India from the clutches of poverty due to which they cannot afford healthcare: PM
08:26 am: The number of people going to benefit from Arogya yojna as are as many as the entire population of Europe put together: PM
08:25 am:This will also generate employment opportunities for the poor, new hospitals and medical centres will be opened: PM
08:23 am: Today, from 15 August, the technology devised for the Prandhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan will be tested. On September 25, on the anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhaya, the scheme will be launched:
08:22 am: Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan will be launched on 25th September this year. It is high time we ensure that the poor of India get access to good quality and affordable healthcare: PM
08:21 am: Many families of the country have suffered due to illness and diseases that demand costly treatment: PM
08:20 am: Mahatma Gandhi led the Satyagrahis to freedom. Today, the Swachhagrahis have to ensure a Swachh Bharat: PM
08:19 am: Mahatma Gandhi put his campaign for cleanliness above the Independence struggle. We will realise his dream of swachhta and dedicate the success to his vision: PM
08:19 am: WHO has recognised that India's Swachh Bhara campaign has saved the lives of at least 3 lakh children: PM
08:19 am: My initiative for cleanliness was opposed, today people have contributed to making the country clean and are helping in eradicating diseases from the country: PM
08:18 am: We have provided gas connections to the poor and are continuing with our efforts to empower the weak: PM
08:18 am: The sale of Khadi has doubled and the poor have access to food items now: PM Narendra Modi at Red Fort
08:15 am: Today our focus is centered at developing the agricultural sector. With a 'Beej Se Bazar Tak' approach, we are bringing remarkable changes in the agriculture sector. The aim is to double farmer incomes by 2022: PM
08:12 am: India is proud of our scientists, who are excelling in their research and are at the forefront of innovation. In the year 2022 or if possible before, India will unfurl the Tricolour in space. By 2022, we aim to send an Indian, boy or girl, to space. Before India celebrates 75h Independence Day, an Indian will unfurl Tricolour in space. they will travel aboard an Indian space mission, built by Indian scientists: PM
08:05 am: The youth of the North East are opening BPOs and are being engaged in various employment opportunities: PM
08:05 am: North East has developed and is bringing motivational news for the country, the region has been electrified and highways have been constructed: PM
08:05 am: Earlier, the news coming out of Northeast used to shocking and sad, but in four years Northeast is developing at a fast pace. We have closed the gap between Delhi and Northeast: PM
08:04 am: Today India is being heard across the world, nations are coming forward to invest in our country: PM Narendra Modi at Red Fort
08:03 am: From being seen as among the fragile five, India is now the land of reform, perform and transform. We are poised for record economic growth: PM
08:00 am: The discourse about India's economy has changed from Red Tape to Red Carpet, reform delays and policy paralysis have been reduced to just reform and perform: PM
07:57 am: Economists, farmers were demanding a better MSP and we took the tough decision of implementing it. GST was embraced by the businessmen despite initial problems.NPA laws were brought to strengthen India's banking sector. Who was stopping the government before, but you elected us to take this tough decisions and we did: PM Modi
07:57 am: The OROP demand was pending for decades. The people of India, our brave army personnel had faith in us and we were able to take a decision on OROP. We will always take decisions in the interests of our nation: PM
07:56 am: Who did not want the passage of the GST yet it was pending for years? Last year GST became a reality. I want to thank the business community for the success of the GST: PM
07:55 am:The demand for higher MSP was pending for years. From farmers to political parties to agriculture experts, everybody was asking about it but nothing happened. With the blessings of the farmers, the decision on MSP was taken by our Government: PM
07:54 am: The nation has several expectations, it is imperative that Centre and state governments make continuous efforts to realise those expectations: PM
07:52 am: The country is the same but we are witnessing a power of development today. Construction of highways, agricultural products, building up of institutions, etc. have given a new direction to the nation: PM
07:50 am: In 2014, the nation did not stop at electing the government. The nation took on the task of nation building. If we had continued at the pace maintained till 2013 then it would have taken us 100 years to get where we have reached: PM
07:49 am: We are proud of what we have achieved and at the same time, we also have to look at where we have come from. That is when we will realised the remarkable strides the nation has made: PM
07:47 am: The weaker sections of our society should be allowed to grow and develop without obstacles: PM Narendra Modi at Red Fort
07:45 am: The Constitution of India, given to us by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar has spoken about justice for all. We have to ensure social justice for all and create an India that is progressing rapidly: PM
07:43 am: The Independence of our nation is a result of the struggles and sacrifices of the leaders of our country, who have spent their lives in jails: PM
07:42 am: Our police forces are working for the safety and security of the people of the nation: PM Narendra Modi at Red Fort
07:41 am: Next year on Baisakhi, it will be 100 years of Jallianwala Bagh massacre. I pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives: PM
07:40 am: We stand with the people affected by floods and rain-related incidents. I share the pain of those who have lost their loved ones in these calamities: PM
07:38 am: On behalf of the people of India, I bow to all those great women and men who sacrificed themselves for the nation during the freedom movement: PM
07:37 am: All Indians, even the ones staying abroad are proud of the fact that India has registered its name as the 6th major economy in the world: PM
07:36 am: Our Parliament has brought justice to the country. Dalits, women and other weak sections of the society have been empowered: PM
07:35 am: The recently concluded Parliament session was one devoted to social justice. The Parliament session witnessed the passage of the Bill to create an OBC Commission: PM
07:35 am: The recent sessions of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were dedicated to social justice: Pm Modi
07:35 am: Today we are celebrating Independence Day when Indian daughters have crossed the seven seas and scaled Mt Everest: Pm Modi
07:34 am: India is today filled with youthful energy: PM Modi
07:33 am: Pm Modi begins addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort in Delhi.
07:32 am:
07:30 am: 72nd Independence Day: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag from at Delhi's Red Fort before addressing the nation from its rampart one last time before the country goes into 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
07:20 am: PM Modi reaches Red Fort, to unfurl Indian flag shortly
07:17 am: PM Modi reaches Red Fort for annual Independence Day celebrations, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman present to welcome him. PM Modi will first unfurl the flag and then address the nation after national anthem.
07:11 am: PM Modi pays his respects Mahatma Gandhi's memorial Raj Ghat.
07:10 am: Earlier this morning, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh unfurled the national flag at his official residence in the national capital.
07:00 am: Former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh & HD Deve Gowda, Union Minister JP Nadda & BJP leader LK Advani at the Red Fort.
06:50 am: Red Fort is ready for Independence Day celebrations:
06:46 am: Pleasant weather at Red Fort: According to the Met department, Delhi is likely to experience a pleasant weather for the Independence Day. Minimum temperature is expected to be around 27 degree Celsius while maximum will touch 34. The sky is expected to be cloudy with moderate rain. It is not unprecedented for the cloud to shower incessant rains during the annual speech from the Red Fort. In a such a situation, however, neither the PM nor the audiences deter and the celebrations continue.
06:36 am: Tight security: A cordon of tight security, including NSG snipers, elite SWAT commandos, kite catchers, over 500 CCTV cameras and thousands of security personnel, have been thrown around the Red Fort, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on the 72nd Independence Day shortly.
While nearly 70,000 Delhi Police personnel are guarding the national capital, close to 10,000 cops have been deployed in the Mughal-era fort, which will see the presence of senior ministers, top bureaucrats, foreign dignitaries and common people during the PM's address.
06:34 am: Independence Day greetings to the people of India. Jai Hind! #IndependenceDayIndia: PM Modi tweets
06:30 am: PM Modi's address will begin at 7:30 am from Delhi's Red Fort. Stay tuned for live updates.
06:20 am: PM Modi had recently sought ideas from people for his Independence Day speech, a practice he has followed for the past three years. For the past three years, he has invited ideas and suggestions directly from people. According to MyGov.in, PM Modi will pick up some of the ideas in his speech. Some of the suggestions already received on the website include the ones on cases of rape, open defecation, reservation system and education.
06:10 am: For the 72nd Independence Day celebrations, the Navy is the coordinating service. The Guard of Honour will be commanded by Commander PR Jagan Mohan of the Indian Navy.
The Army Contingent will be commanded by Major Suraj Pal, the Navy contingent by Lt Cdr MYV Tejas, while Squadron Leader Praveen Narayan will lead the Air Force contingent. The Delhi Police contingent will be led by ACP Jagdev Singh Yadav, a Defence Ministry statement said.
