India is celebrating 70 years of freedom from British rule, an event which is being celebrated with the customary pomp and glory. The highlight of today's Independence Day celebrations was in New Delhi, where PM Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the rampart of the Red Fort.

This was PM Modi's fourth address to the nation from the Red Fort, and he managed to keep his promise by finishing his speech in an hour. PM Modi had jokingly said on his last Mann Ki Baat radio programme that he has received complaints about his speeches being too long.

Similar events will be held in state capitals around the country. Here are the latest updates from this year's Independence Day celebration.

HIGHLIGHTS:

India is known for its digital prowess.

We are fighting corruption - for the bright future of India and the wellbeing of our people.

Have unearthed huge amount of black money and this fight against unaccounted wealth will continue.

We are devoting significant attention to eastern India- Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Northeast. These parts have to grow further.

We are taking India on a new track.

Violence in the name of Astha is not something to be happy about, it will not be accepted in India. No place for intolerance in today's India.

India is about Shanti, Ekta and Sadbhavana. Casteism and communalism will not help us.

Casteism and communalism will not help us. I want to mention those women who have to suffer due to tripe talaq', I admire their courage. We are with them in their struggles.

This government's policies have led to more employment opportunities.

Our government working with and supporting our farmers. We still need better infrastructure to help our farmers.

They said Modi gaya after demonetisation but it broke the back of corruption in country.

after demonetisation but it broke the back of corruption in country. Centre and state governments are now working together.

Na gaal, na goli se, parivartan hoga gale lagane se (Will win over Kashmiris with love): PM Modi on Kashmir issu.

PM Modi on Kashmir issu. India leading fight against terror at global stage.Terrorists can never win against India.

One Rank, One Pension (OROP) for armed forces was cleared by our government.

GST has shown the spirit of cooperative federalism. The nation has come together to support GST and the role of technology has also helped.

Those who have looted the nation and looted the poor are not able to sleep peacefully today.

Our forces are prepared to face any challenge. Country's security is our priority.

We have to leave this chalta hai attitude. We have to think of badal sakta hai - this attitude will help us as a nation.

attitude. We have to think of - this attitude will help us as a nation. 1st January 2018 will not be an ordinary day - those born in this century will start turning 18. They are Bhagya Vidhatas of our nation.

In our nation, there is no one big or small...everybody is equal. Together we can bring a positive change in the nation.

We have to take the country ahead with the determination of creating a 'New India'.

This is a special year - 75th anniversary of Quit India, 100th anniversary of Champaran Satyagraha, 125th anniversary of Ganesh Utsav.

People of India stand shoulder to shoulder with those affected due to natural disasters and the tragedy in Gorakhpur.

We remember the great women and men who worked hard for India's freedom.

PM Narendra Modi begins his speech from the rampart of Red Fort.

PM Modi unfurls tricolour at Red Fort. | WATCH VIDEO

Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi unfurls the tricolor at Red Fort, New Delhi, on the occasion of 71st Independence Day. pic.twitter.com/lBaHHATVT0 August 15, 2017 PM Modi reaches Red Fort, inspects Guard of Honour.

Before his Independence Day address, PM Modi visits Rajghat to pay respects to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. PM @narendramodi paying floral tributes at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat, on the occasion of 71st Independence Day, in Delhi pic.twitter.com/CPZeSrc4MM - PIB India (@PIB_India) August 15, 2017

The Prime Minister's address is likely to begin at 7.30 am. Modi will reach the Lahori Gate entrance of Red Fort, where he will be received by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, Minister of State for Defence Dr Subhash Bhamre and Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on Independence Day via Twitter. "Independence Day greetings to my fellow Indians. Jai Hind," he said, following the tweet with another one extending greetings on the festival of Janmashtami.

????? ????? ?? ? ?? ? ??? ?? ?-? ???? Greetings on Janmashtami. - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2017 #??? ?? ? ? ? ??? ?? ?-? ? ? ?! Independence Day greetings to my fellow Indians. Jai Hind. August 15, 2017 Also on Independence Day eve, United States President Donald Trump called PM Modi to convey his greetings on India's Independence Day.

Ahead of Independence Day, several buildings across India were beautifully lit up to mark the big day. These included Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj railway station and New Delhi's Raisina Hill.

#WATCH: Delhi's North Block, South Block & Rashtrapati Bhavan lit up ahead of #IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/Kamnf61BvZ - ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2017 (Video: Twitter/ANI) President Ram Nath Kovind referred to the New India theme that is being touted by the Narendra Modi government. New India should tolerant and sensitive, President Kovind said. Watch full address President Kovind's full Independence Day address here.

On the eve of Independence Day, Ram Nath Kovind delivered the customary president's address at around 7 pm.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh unfurled the tricolour at his residence in New Delhi at around 6.30 am.

Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh unfurls the tricolour at his residence #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/mcnPbsuPR0 - ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2017 On Monday, the Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making "false" promises, and said that the party hopes his Independence Day address will provide an account of the promises fulfilled in the past three years.

A worker fixes a lamp post in front of the India Gate on the eve of Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi, India, August 14, 2017. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi Click here to Enlarge A worker fixes a lamp post in front of the India Gate on the eve of Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi, India, August 14, 2017. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Today's first flag hoisting event has already been completed - Purnea in Bihar has continued with its tradition of unfurling the tricolour every Independence Day midnight.

Suggestions sent by citizens on PM Modi's Independence Day speech range from topics like defence and environment to security of women and education.

On the same Mann Ki Baat episode where Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to keep his Independence Day address to under 60 minutes, he invited suggestions from citizens on issues they'd like to hear him talk about. Modi received nearly 13,000 such ideas via the MyGov portal.

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