10 key announcements in PM Modi's 6th Independence Day speech

Sporting a multi-coloured turban, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his sixth Independence Day speech on the 73rd Independence Day. (Photo | Shekhar Yadav, EPS)

Union Defence Minister welcomes Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Red Fort on the occasion of the 73rd Independence Day. (Photo | Shekhar Yadav, EPS)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets schoolchildren after his address to the nation on the country's Independence Day in New Delhi. We highlight the key points of PM Modi's 6th consecutive speech which he delievered from the ramparts of the historical Red Fort. (Photo | PTI)

ON KASHMIR AND Art 370 ABROGATION: 'We neither nurse problems nor let them fester. Why didn't those who are supporting Article 370 make it a permanent provision for Jammu and Kashmir. Why did they keep it as a temporary measure.' (Photo | Shekhar Yadav, EPS)

CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF: In a major decision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced creation of a chief of defence staff as head of the tri- services. 'Our government has decided to have a Chief of Defence Staff- CDS.' A high-level committee set up to examine the gaps in the country's security system in the wake of the Kargil War in 1999 had called for appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff as a single-point military adviser to the Defence Minister. (Photo | Shekhar Yadav, EPS)

5 TRILLION DOLLAR ECONOMY: Amid a widespread slowdown in the economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday committed to a five-year vision of investment-led growth. In a bid to reassure the India Inc, he said wealth creators are the country's wealth and should not be looked at with suspicion. 'We are targeting a USD 5 trillion economy. Many think it is difficult. But if we don't do difficult things how will we progress? It took 70 years to reach USD 2 trillion economy size, and in the last one year alone we added USD 1 trillion. And this gives us confidence that in the next 5 years, we can take it towards USD 5 trillion.' (Photo | PTI)

ON RAILWAYS: 'People's thinking has changed. Earlier, people were happy with merely a plan to set up a railway station. Now people ask- when will Vande Bharat Express come to my area. People do not want only good railway stations or bus stations, they ask when is a good airport coming.' (Photo | PTI)

ON SIMULTANEOUS POLLS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a fresh pitch for holding Lok Sabha and assembly polls together, saying the concept of 'one nation, one election' is imperative to make the country great.

ON USE OF CHEMICAL FERTILISERS, PESTICIDES: 'The way we are using chemical fertilisers and pesticides, we are destroying the earth. I have a request for our farming community. We are going to celebrate 75 years of our Independence. Can we reduce the use of chemical fertilisers by 10 to 25 per cent in our farm lands.' (Photo | Shekhar Yadav, EPS)

ON TOURISM AND LOCAL PRODUCE: 'I know people travel abroad for holidays but can we think of visiting at least 15 tourist destinations across India before 2022, when we mark 75 years of freedom.There is a huge scope to improve our tourism sector. Let us make local products attractive. May more export hubs emerge. Our guiding principle is Zero Defect, Zero Effect.' (Photo | Shekhar Yadav, EPS)

ON CLEAN DRINKING WATER: 'I want to announce from the Red Fort that we will move forward with Jal Jeevan Mission. The Centre and states will work towards it and in coming years, more than Rs 3.5 lakh crore will be spent.' (Photo | PTI)

ON LAW AGAINST TRIPLE TALAQ: 'If we can take steps against 'Sati' custom, female foeticide, child marriage and dowry, then why not against instant triple talaq,' (Photo | PTI)

ON POPULATION EXPLOSION: 'The issue of ever-rising population is a matter of concern and said that a small section of society, which keeps their families small, deserves respect. What they are doing is an act of patriotism. If population is educated and healthy, the country too will be educated and healthy.' (Photo | Shekhar Yadav, EPS)