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Independence Day 2023 Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day. In a departure from his usual addresses, Modi referred to his fellow citizens as "parivarjan" or "family members."
Before commencing his speech, the Prime Minister paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and unfurled the tricolour from the Red Fort.
Around 1,800 special guests had been invited for the grand event, including sarpanches, Khadi workers, nurses, primary school teachers, and fishermen.
PM Modi said that corruption, dynasty, and appeasement are the three main problems that the country faces today.
Modi also expressed solidarity with Manipur, saying that the nation stands with the conflict-torn state during this difficult time.
Narendra Modi delivered his 10th speech as Prime Minister from the Red Fort – as many times as former PM Manmohan Singh.
Rahul Gandhi wished the public on Independence Day through a note on social media titled, 'Bharat Mata: The Voice of Every Indian'.
The Centre has set up 'selfie points' across Delhi, from where people can take pictures on Independence Day.
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Rasthriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav hoisted the tricolour along with his wife Rabri Devi and his son and Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav in Patna.
(Photo: PTI)
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Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inspects the guard of honour during celebrations of the 77th Independence Day.
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Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren during the 77th Independence Day function at Morhabadi Ground in Ranchi.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during the 77th Independence Day celebrations at the Polo Ground in Patiala.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray with party leader Aaditya Thackeray and others during celebrations of the 77th Independence Day at the Shiv Sena Bhavan in Mumbai.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inspects the parade during the 77th Independence Day function at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to begin his address to the nation at 7:30 AM from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day.
Around 1,800 special guests have been invited for the grand event, including Central Vista Project and New Parliament building workers, sarpanches, Khadi workers, nurses, primary school teachers, and fishermen.
President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of Independence Day approved 76 Gallantry medals for the Central Armed Forces and the Indian Army.
These include four Kirti Chakras, 11 Shaurya Chakras, 52 Sena Medals (Gallantry), three Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) and four Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
PM Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to wish the public on Independence Day ahead of his speech.
"Best wishes on Independence Day. We pay homage to our great freedom fighters and reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling their vision. Jai Hind!" he said.
PM Modi paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat before heading to the Red Fort to address the nation.
PM Modi has arrived at the Red Fort ahead of his speech.
Rahul Gandhi took to X (formerly Twitter) to extend his greetings on Independence Day, in a note titled 'Bharat Mata: The Voice of Every Indian'.
PM Modi unfurled the tricolour at the Red Fort ahead of his Independence Day speech.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day.
"The largest democracy of the world and now also the leading country in terms of population. Such a large country, 140 crore members of my family are celebrating Independence Day today," PM Modi said in his speech.
"(I pay respects to) our Bapu's leadership, Satyagraha and non-cooperation movements and sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev. I pay tribute to those who contributed to India's struggle for freedom": PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Manipur, saying that the nation stands with them during this difficult time.
"The country stands with the people of Manipur. Resolution can be found through peace only. The Centre and the state government is making all efforts to find a resolution," he said.
PM Modi expressed his sympathies with families of victims who faced natural calamities.
"This time, natural calamities have created unimaginable crises in several parts of the country. I express my sympathies to all families who faced this," he said.
PM Modi said that the decisions the country takes today will have an impact on the next 1,000 years.
"I am talking about the last 1,000 years because I see that there is an opportunity before the country once again. What we do in this era, the steps we take, and the decisions we take one after the other will germinate the golden history of the country in the coming 1,000 years," he said.
"After the COVID-19 pandemic, a new world order, a new geo-political equation is taking shape. The definition of geopolitics is changing. Today, the ability of 140 crore Indians can be seen in shaping of the new world order": PM Modi.
PM Modi said that the fact that India was chosen to host the G-20 Summit shows that the country's capabilities are reaching new heights.
"It is certain that India's capability and possibilities are going to cross new heights of trust. These new heights of trust will go ahead with new capabilities," PM Modi said.
"Today, India has received the opportunity to host the G20 Summit. In the past year, the manner in which several events of the G20 were held in every corner of India has made the world aware of the capability of India's common people, India's diversity," he added.
PM Modi said that when his government came to power in 2014, it made consistent efforts to stop the "demon of corruption" in its tracks.
"When we came to power in 2014, we were at the 10th position in the global economic system. Today, with the efforts of 140 crore Indians, we have reached the fifth position. This did not happen just like that. The demon of corruption had the country in its clutches. We stopped leakages and created a strong economy," he said.
PM Modi announced the Vishwakarma scheme, with an allocation of Rs 13,000-15,000 crore, for those who possess traditional skills.
The scheme will be rolled out next month.
PM Modi said that while the world is facing the crisis of inflation, his government is taking all measures to contain price rise in the country.
"Today, the world is facing the crisis of inflation. Inflation has the entire global economy in its clutches. It is unfortunate that when we import goods of our necessity, we also import inflation," he said.
"But, India made all efforts to control inflation. We can't be content just because our situation is better than the rest of the world. I have to take more steps to see that the burden of inflation goes further down on the citizens of my country. We will take those steps and my efforts will continue," the prime minister added.
PM Modi said while addressing the nation that constructing a new Parliament was being discussed for the last 25 years, but his government started the process and completed it before time.
"Ye Modi hai, samay ke pehle Sansad banakar ke rakh diya (I am Modi, I managed to construct the new Parliament building before schedule). This is a government that works, that meets set goals. This is new India. This is an India that is full of self-confidence. Ye Bharat na rukta hai, na thakta hai, na haanfta hai aur na hi haarta hai (This country neither stops, nor gets tired, nor stops for a breath, nor loses)," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that women-led development will take the country forward. "Today, we can proudly say that India has the maximum number of female pilots in civil aviation. Women scientists are leading the Chandrayaan mission. The G20 countries are also recognising the importance of women-led development."
PM Modi said that the nation had a "sense of security" now, which was evident from the fact that "serial bomb blasts are a thing of the past" and "terror attacks and incidents in Naxalism-hit areas have gone down."
PM Modi hailed his government's Vibrant Villages Programme, which had been launched by Home Minister Amit Shah to boost development in villages situated along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
"The Vibrant Border Villages were called the last villages of the country. We changed that mindset. They are not the last villages in the country. What you can see at the borders is the first village in my country. I am delighted that special guests of this event include 600 pradhans of these border villages," Modi said.
Corruption, dynasty, and appeasement are the three main problems that the country faces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
"I firmly believe that when the country will celebrate 100 years of freedom in 2047, India will be a developed country. I say this on the basis of the capability of my country and available resources. But the need of the hour is to fight three evils: corruption, dynasty and appeasement."
In a veiled dig at the Congress, PM Modi said, "Today, parivarvaad and appeasement have destroyed our country. How can a political party have only one family in charge? For them their life mantra is: party of the family, by the family and for the family."
Home Minister Amit Shah took to X (formerly Twitter) to extend his wishes on the occasion of Independence Day.
Extending her wishes on Independence Day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "The chapters of our history are written in courage and resilience. As we hoist the tricolour, let's remember the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and pledge to uphold the values they fought for. Let their sacrifices inspire us to forge ahead with purpose and dedication."
"Let us rise beyond divisions, casting aside our differences, and stand united in our journey towards a brighter, better INDIA. Happy 77th Independence Day to all my mothers, brothers and sisters," she added.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to X (formerly Twitter) to ask citizens to take a pledge towards achieving the goal of the best possible education for every child.
"Happy Independence Day to all countrymen. On this glorious occasion, let us take a pledge that together we will make arrangements for the best education for every child of the country and for good treatment for every person. Together we will take the country forward and make India a developed nation," Kejriwal said.
Rasthriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav hoisted the tricolour along with his wife Rabri Devi and his son and Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav in Patna.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge skipped the Independence Day programme at the Red Fort. A photo has been going viral on social media, which shows an empty chair at the venue with his name plastered on it.
Extending greetings on Independence Day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is deeper and more expansive than ever.
"We stand with you in our shared commitment to tackle the most pressing global challenges to ensure the peace and prosperity of our people. This last year has shown that the US-India relationship is deeper and more expansive than ever,” Blinken said in a statement.
Speaking to the press on why he skipped Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said:
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' extended greetings to PM Modi and the rest of the country on the occasion of Independence Day.
"On the auspicious occasion of the 77th Independence Day of India, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to PM @narendramodi ji and to the friendly people of India for continued peace, progress and prosperity," he took to X to say.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud's reaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's praise for the Supreme Court during the latter's Independence Day speech has gone viral on social media.
During his speech, PM Modi had lauded the top court for ensuring that their judgments are translated into regional languages.
"I thank the Supreme Court of India. The Supreme Court has said the operative part of the judgments will be made available in the language of the party who has come to the Court. The importance of mother tongue is increasing today," Modi had said.
Reacting to the praise, Chandrachud was seen folding his hands in a gesture of gratitude.
Modi's comments gain significance in the backdrop of a law being introduced during the recently concluded Monsoon Session which aims to replace the Chief Justice from a panel to appoint Election Commissioners.
It also comes at a time when the Centre and the apex court are at loggerheads over the collegium system for the appointment of judges.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu on Independence Day, saying that the country enjoys "well-earned respect" on a global scale.
"Your country has achieved universally acknowledged success in economic, scientific and technical, social and other fields. India enjoys well-earned respect on the world arena and plays important constructive role in the international affairs." Putin said, as per a statement released by the Russian government.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took a dig at the Centre over the Delhi services Bill while speaking at an Independence Day event in the city.
"The rights of the people of Delhi were taken away by a law. People are asking me how will I work now? Today, I assure the people of Delhi that the work will continue irrespective of whoever wants to take away the power. Free electricity will continue, and good education, and free travel for women will continue. The speed might reduce but the work will go on," he said.
While extending his greetings on Independence Day, BJP President JP Nadda said that India has the capability of becoming a 'vishwa guru' (world leader)
"Today we have demography, democracy & diversity & they have the capacity to fulfill the country's dreams. This country has the potential to give numerous opportunities to the people. This shows that the country can become vishva guru," he said.
He also praised PM Modi's Independence Day speech, saying that it outlined a roadmap for India to become a developed country by 2047.