73rd Independence Day: PM Modi addresses nation from Red Fort

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation on the 73rd Independence Day. Wearing a white kurta and his customary safaa, this time mustard, red and green, PM Modi spoke before a large gathering of ministers, diplomats and schoolchildren at the historic Mughal-built Red Fort. He spoke about the significant decisions his government has made within the first 10 weeks itself to ensure that the nation sees unhindered growth. The removal of Article 370, Article 35-A and ban on Triple Talaq have been important steps. We have fulfilled the dream that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had for India. He announced the post of a Chief of Defence Staff to oversee all three defence services.

Here are the LIVE updates of PM Modi's Independence Day speech from Red Fort:

Aug 15, 2019 14:40 (IST) JP Nadda unfurls tricolour at BJP headquarters in Delhi

BJP Working President Jagat Prakash Nadda unfurled the tricolour at the party headquarters in Delhi

Aug 15, 2019 13:12 (IST) President Kovind and 3 Service Chiefs pay tribute at National War Memorial

President Ram Nath Kovind and three Service Chiefs pay tribute at National War Memorial on the occasion of Independence Day in Delhi. Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind and three Service Chiefs pay tribute at National War Memorial on the occasion of #IndiaIndependenceDay. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also present. pic.twitter.com/Xm5twMCm34 - ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2019

Aug 15, 2019 12:04 (IST) 73rd Independence Day: BJP MP from Ladakh plays traditional drum

BJP MP from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, plays traditional drum with locals while celebrating 73rd Independence Day in Leh. #WATCH BJP MP from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal plays a traditional drum with locals while celebrating 73rd #IndiaIndependenceDay, in Leh. pic.twitter.com/2kipUbCTmL - ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2019

Aug 15, 2019 10:49 (IST) BSF exchanges sweets at India-Bangladesh border

Sweets exchanged at India-Bangladesh border between Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) in West Bengal

Aug 15, 2019 10:39 (IST) Sonia Gandhi hoists tricolour at Congress headquarter in Delhi

Interim Congress chief Sonia Gandhi hoists tricolour at Congress headquarters to mark Independence Day.



Aug 15, 2019 10:30 (IST) J&K Governor addresses people

Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik addressed the people of the state from Sher-i-Kashmir stadium in Srinagar.

He said, "I assure the people of Jammu & Kashmir that their identity is not on the line, it hasn't been tampered with. The constitution of India allows different regional identities to flourish."

Aug 15, 2019 09:28 (IST) PM Modi meets Army Chief, Navy Chief & Air Chief at Red Fort

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, & Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa at Red Fort. #IndiaIndependenceDaypic.twitter.com/8h9MFaXUWB - ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2019

Aug 15, 2019 09:25 (IST) PM Modi meets children at Red Fort



Aug 15, 2019 08:59 (IST) "Huge" scope to improve India's tourism sector: PM Modi

There is a "huge" scope to improve India's tourism sector and it was imperative that the country meets the aspirations of its people.

"There is a huge scope to improve our tourism sector," he said.

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.

He said the time has come to boost exports and that each district of India has much to offer.

"Let us make local products attractive. May more export hubs emerge. Our guiding principle is Zero Defect, Zero Effect," he said.

He said the the world is eager to explore trade with India and the government was working to keep prices under check and increase development.

"The fundamentals of our economy are strong," he said.



Aug 15, 2019 08:55 (IST) Must reduce use of plastic bags: PM

Can we free India from single use plastic?

The time for implementing such an idea has come.

May teams be mobilised to work in this direction.

Let a significant step be made on 2nd October



Our priority should be a 'Made in India' product.

Can we think of consuming local products, improving rural economy and the MSME sector

Aug 15, 2019 08:47 (IST) Will Create A Chief Of Defence Staff: PM Modi



Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced creation of a chief of defence staff (CDS) as head of the tri- services.

The prime minister said the CDS will ensure synergy among the three services and provide effective leadership to them.

"Our government has decided to have a Chief of Defence Staff- CDS," PM said.

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.

A group of ministers analysing required reforms in the national security system had also favoured appointing a chief of defence staff.

In 2012, the Naresh Chandra Task Force had recommended creating the post of a permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

The CoSC comprises chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force and the senior-most among them acts as its chairman as per existing norm.

Aug 15, 2019 08:35 (IST) Times are changing and we have to accept that: PM

Earlier the aspiration was to have a good mobile phone but now, people aspire better data speed.

People's thinking has changed.

Earlier, people were happy with merely a plan to make 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.

India does not want incremental progress. A high jump is needed, our thought process has to be expanded. We have to keep in mind global best practices and build good systems.

I always ask- can we not remove the excess influence of Governments on people's lives. Let our people have the freedom of pursuing their own aspirations, let the right eco-system be made in this regard

Every effort made to remove corruption and black money is welcome. These are menaces that have ruined India for 70 long years. Let us always reward honesty

Aug 15, 2019 08:20 (IST) Population explosion is a problem: PM

There is one issue I want to highlight today- population explosion.

We have to think- can we do justice to the aspirations of our children.

There is a need to have greater discussion and awareness on population explosion.

Aug 15, 2019 08:15 (IST) If we can take steps against "Sati" custom, female foeticide and dowry, then why not against instant triple talaq, says PM.

We neither nurse problems nor keep them pending: PM on decision on removing provisions of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Different governments made efforts in 70 years to deal with Kashmir, but it did not bear results; a new approach was needed: PM on J&K decisions.

Why did those who are supporting Article 370 make it a permanent provision for Jammu and Kashmir and kept it a temporary measure.

Politics comes and goes but steps in the interest of the nation are paramount.



Aug 15, 2019 07:59 (IST) My government took key decisions within 10 weeks of coming to power: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that within 10 weeks of returning to power, his government took key decisions to fulfil the aspirations of people and cited the new law on triple talaq and scrapping of special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir.

In his address to the nation on 73rd Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort, he said his government has dedicated itself on all fronts in the service of countrymen.

Abrogation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, law to ban the practice of instant triple talaq were some of the key decisions taken by his government soon after assuming power for the second term, he said.

"Within two weeks of assuming power, we have dedicated ourselves in fulfilling the aspirations of people on all fronts," he said.

PM Modi also condoled the death of people in recent floods and assured the affected of all help.

Aug 15, 2019 07:50 (IST) PM Modi addresses nation from Red Fort

The Prime Minister begins his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort by conveying Independence Day greetings. He conveys wishes of Raksha Bandhan to the nation. Today, when we are marking Independence Day, many of our citizens are suffering due to floods in various parts of the nation. We stand in complete solidarity with those affected by the floods and I assure that all possible support that is needed will be provided to them. I bow to all those great women and men who devoted their lives so that India becomes free. It has been under ten weeks since the new Government was formed but several pathbreaking decisions have been taken. This includes decisions for Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, the end of Triple Talaq, steps for the welfare of farmers and traders. India understands the important of water conservation and thus, a new ministry for Jal Shakti has been created. Steps have been taken to make the medical sector even more people friendly.

Aug 15, 2019 07:45 (IST) PM Modi greets nation on 73rd Independence Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the people of the nation on the 73rd Independence Day.

"Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Indians. Jai Hind!" tweeted Modi from his official Twitter account.

Aug 15, 2019 07:23 (IST) Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurls the tricolour at Red Fort. #IndiaIndependenceDaypic.twitter.com/FOzli5INJi - ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2019

PM Modi, dressed in a white kurta-pyjama and a colourful turban, was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Red Fort. He then inspected Guard of Honour. The prime minister paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.



Aug 15, 2019 07:13 (IST) Visitors, performers and jawans gather at the Red Fort

Delhi: Visitors, performers and jawans gather at the Red Fort ahead of #IndependenceDay celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation shortly, from here. pic.twitter.com/qQvu7mpreP - ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2019

Aug 15, 2019 07:03 (IST) US extends best wishes to India on Independence Day

Wishing India on its 73rd Independence Day, the United States has said New Delhi and Washington enjoy close ties of friendship which over the time have flourished into a "strategic partnership".

In a statement, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said: "On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I extend my best wishes to the people of India on your Independence Day."

"The United States and India have enjoyed close ties of friendship since the U.S. supported India''s independence 72 years ago. Our shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and commitment to economic growth further cemented our relationship. Over the past two decades, our friendship has flourished into a strategic partnership, and we now cooperate on a range of important issues, from defence and counterterrorism to freedom of navigation and cutting-edge science, including in space," he added.

Aug 15, 2019 06:57 (IST) Schedule of PM Modi

Tomorrow, on Independence Day, PM @narendramodi will pay tributes to Bapu at Rajghat at 7 AM.



7:30 AM onwards, the Prime Minister's address from the ramparts of the Red Fort will begin.



Live coverage of the Independence Day celebrations will commence 6:30 AM onwards. - PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 14, 2019

Aug 15, 2019 06:38 (IST) PM Modi to address the nation at 7.30 am

PM Modi will lead the nation in celebrating the event at the Red Fort in Delhi this morning. He will unfurl the National Flag and deliver the customary address to the nation from the ramparts of the monument, starting 7:30 am.

Multi-layered security arrangements are in place across Delhi. The Red Fort, from where PM Modi will address the nation, has been put under a high-security cover.



Around 500 CCTV cameras have been installed around the venue, where ministers, bureaucrats, foreign dignitaries and common people will gather to hear the prime minister.

Army, paramilitary forces and 20,000 Delhi Police personnel have also been deployed. The roads leading to the Red Fort are under surveillance and police personnel are taking help of sniffer dogs to check vehicles in north and central districts of Delhi.

Security protocols have also been devised for the "At Home" function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.



Aug 15, 2019 06:37 (IST) Independence Day to be a colourful one: Ministry of Defence statement

This year's Independence Day event promises to be a colourful one, marked by the participation of children.

"On this festival of national fervour, 3,500 girl students drawn from 41 government schools in Delhi; 5,000 boy spectators and 700 NCC cadets from 17 schools will display 'strength in unity' through the formation of the words Naya Bharat," read a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.