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.
Tripura, Meghalaya and many parts of Arunachal Pradesh are seeing historic peace. From 126, Left Wing Extremism is restricted to 90 districts. We are working to ensure peace across the nation: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/wSEkwgp4yu
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
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
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 Modi #IndiaIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/tWuFh0CFxk
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
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 have to free our society and country from this disgusting 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 pic.twitter.com/9ZKgR5DXcv
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
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.
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: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018
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.
As significant as economic growth, is dignity of the individual. Our schemes such as Ujjwala and Saubhagya Yojana are enhancing the dignity of fellow Indians: PM Modi #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/0YkO81IftE
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
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 is proud of our scientists, who are excelling in their research and are at the forefront of innovation: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018
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.
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 @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018
India's voice is being heard effectively at the world stage. We are integral parts of forums whose doors were earlier closed for us: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018
India will lead, provide direction and speed to the global economy soon.
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 blessings of the farmers, the decision on MSP was taken by our Government: PM Modi #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/r8a4jMYk1E
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
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.
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 @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018
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.
Next year on Baisakhi, it will be 100 years of Jallianwala Bagh massacre. I pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives: PM Narendra Modi #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/u2ud1N8k6y
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
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.
Indian Navy all-women crew of INS Tarini was hailed for their heroics by the PM.
PM Narendra Modi unfurls the tricolour at Red Fort. #IndiaIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/sTogztX64z
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
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.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at #RedFort in Delhi. #IndiaIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/AKdUgwPEm2
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Red Fort, to address the nation shortly. #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/gPvCAgNb7o
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
PM Modi is received by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State (MoS) for defence Dr Subhash Bhamre and Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra.
Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/Yko8pgJlUX
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
According to media reports, the PM would be speaking on topics of education, cases of rape, employment, reservation system and open defecation.
Former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh & HD Deve Gowda, Union Minister JP Nadda & BJP leader LK Advani at the Red Fort. #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/HRYgZlEkNJ
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
Independence Day greetings to the people of India. Jai Hind! #IndependenceDayIndia
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2018
स्वतंत्रता दिवस के शुभ अवसर पर सभी देशवासियों को शुभकामनाएं! जय हिंद!
Delhi: Visuals from the Red Fort. Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the nation shortly. pic.twitter.com/xyaRt1FUs8
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
Happy Independence day. The country is celebrating it's 72nd Independence day today. (August 15).
