Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unfurled the national flag at the Red Fort here on the occasion of India's 72nd Independence Day.
Modi was received at Lahori Gate of Red Fort by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre and Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra.
He then reviewed a tri-services guard of honour.
This is the Prime Minister's fifth Independence Day speech after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came to power in 2014.
Security in the national capital has been tightened. The Red Fort has been put under a high security cover. Around 70,000 Delhi Police personnel and about 90 companies of security forces have been deployed.
On Wednesday, PM Modi lauded the Indian Army and hailed a group of six women officers of the Navy for circumnavigating the globe. On the role of armed forces, he said it was a matter of utmost satisfaction and pride that while on one hand, Indian forces plunge into relief and rescue operations to help people in distress like floods and on the other hand, they deftly carry out surgical strikes. Read other highlights from his speech here
After concluding his address PM Modi shook hands with the children present at the function in the Indian tricolour.
Hum goli aur gaali ke raaste par nahi par gale laga ke aage badhna chahte hain. Aane wale kuch hi mahino mein Kashmir mein gaon ke logon ko apna haq jatane ka avsar milega aur panchayat chunav honge: PM Modi
We are striving to end this practice but there are some people who are not wanting it to end. I promise the Muslim women that I will work to ensure justice is done to them: PM Modi
Women officers commissioned in short service will get opportunity for permanent commission like their male counterparts: PM Modi
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, he said.
Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Scheme aims to cover around 50 crore people. It will be rolled out on September 25 - the birth anniversary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay.
"Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan will be launched on 25th September this year in order to ensure that the poor of India get access to good quality and affordable healthcare."
Due to Swachh Bharat mission, lakhs of children can lead healthier lives. Even the WHO has praised it. Mahatma Gandhi led the Satyagrahis to freedom. Today, the Swachhagrahis have to ensure a Swachh Bharat, he said.
Hinting at the improving farming sector across the country, the PM said the production of honey has doubled and the production of sugar has tripled in the country. "We are the second highest in fish production and will soon become number one," he added.
"India will be the fourth country to send humans into space."
There was a time when North East India used to feel that Delhi is very far from them, but today we have brought Delhi to the doorstep of the North East, he said.
India's voice is now heard effectively at the global stage, said the PM.
India will lead, provide direction and speed to the global economy soon.
The country has become destination for trillion-dollar investment.
We are very proud of what we have achieved but at the same time, we also have to look at where we have come from. That is when we will realize the unbelievable strides the nation has taken, the PM said.
Taking a dig the UPA government, PM said it would have taken his government a hundred years at least if it was proceeding developmental works at the pace of its predecessor.
The Prime Minister pays homage to Dr BR Ambedkar for giving the country a strong Constitution.
The recently concluded monsoon session of Parliament was one devoted to social justice. The Parliament session witnessed the passage of the bill to create an OBC Commission, he said.
Modi extends solidarity to citizens affected by monsoon-floods in different parts of the county.
Indian Navy all-women crew of INS Tarini was hailed for their heroics by the PM.
Narendra Modi begins address from the Red Fort.
The PM hoisted the tricolour on the ramparts of the Red Fort, followed by the national anthem. This will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fifth and final address of his current tenure.
PM Modi is received by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State (MoS) for defence Dr Subhash Bhamre and Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra.
According to media reports, the PM would be speaking on topics of education, cases of rape, employment, reservation system and open defecation.
Happy Independence day. The country is celebrating it's 72nd Independence day today. (August 15).