PM Modi’s Independence Day Address: Watch the Full Speech Here
This year, PM Modi will deliver his fifth Independence Day speech and the last for his term.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the 72nd Independence Day at the Red Fort in New Delhi.
From women empowerment to health and insurance, PM Modi announced a number of initiatives and lauded the implementation of GST, higher MSP and other reforms, in his fifth and last Independence Day speech ahead of the 2019 general elections.
- PM Modi said that the Indian National Flag will be unfurled in space in 2022
- Attacking the Opposition, he said that if the country kept working at the pace it did in 2013, it would have taken decades to progress
- Lauding the Swacchh bharat campaign, he said that it had saved the lives of three lakh poor children
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Red Fort to Remain Closed to Public For a Week From 8 August
Red Fort will be closed to the public for over a week from 8 August as a security measure for the preparations of the Independence Day celebrations.
(With PTI inputs)
Delhi Police Prohibits Flying of UAVs, Hot Air Balloons till 15 August
The Delhi Police prohibited flying of “sub-conventional aerial platforms” such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), hot air balloons and paragliders in the national capital from 25 July till Independence Day.
The order shall come remain in force for a period of 22 days from Wednesday till 15 August.
“Certain criminal, anti-social elements or terrorists, inimical to India may pose a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital installations by using sub-conventional aerial platforms,” the order stated.
I-Day Speech: PM Modi Invites Suggestions from People
PM Modi urged the people of the country to share their ideas for his Independence Day speech, via his mobile application.
"You can also share them on MyGov. https://www.mygov.in/group-issue/give-suggestions-prime-ministers-speech-independence-day-2018/ I look forward to receiving your fruitful inputs in the coming days."
(With IANS inputs)
Govt Forms Informal Panel For PM Modi's I-Day Speech: Report
The Modi government has set up an informal group of ministers that are all set to work and structure the Independence Day speech which the Prime Minister will deliver from the Red Fort on 15 August, reports Economic Times.
The group will reportedly include Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Road and Transport minister Nitin Gadkari and acting Finance minister Piyush Goyal.
The speech is most likely to be a “pitch for Modi’s re-election in 2019,” reports the Economic Times.
2nd Frisking & Flying Squads: Security Increased at Metro Stations and Airport
Security measures at the Delhi Metro and the IGI airport have been stepped up with the induction of over 600 fresh CISF personnel and commuters are being thoroughly frisked in view of the heightened vigil in the run up to the Independence Day on 15 August.
They said while passengers in the Delhi Metro are being twice frisked before entering the Delhi Metro stations, additional CISF quick reaction teams (QRTs) and flying squads have been deployed at select stations that witness a heavy footfall or are important from the security point of view.
The Central Industrial Security Force, that is tasked to secure over 210 stations of the metro in the national capital region, has enhanced the number of security personnel in the network to keep a better eye on the people and their luggage, the officials said.
Passengers getting in at a number of airports are also being frisked twice, first manually and later with a hand-held metal detector, they said, adding that instructions have been issued to the personnel to render the job scrupulously but without taking much time. A new control room with smart tools and 5,000 CCTVS has been commission for the CISF.
Special teams of mufti-wearing intelligence and passenger profiling sleuths have been deployed at various stations and they have been asked to keep an eye on a few stations by continuously moving between them, another official said on the condition of anonymity.
Passengers are randomly being made to undertake a second frisking at the IGI Airport.
About 100-150 additional Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel have been deployed at the airport and passengers may have to undergo a rigorous check of themselves and their luggage in certain cases. The number of plain clothed personnel inside and outside the airport have also reportedly been enhanced.
Gajanand Sharma Released After 36 years
Indian National Gajanand Sharma, who was imprisoned at Central Jail Lahore for past 36 years was released by Pakistan on 13 August. Sehdev Sharma, who came to receive Gajanand Sharma at Attari-Wagah border, says "this is a gift for our entire nation from the central govt on Independence Day".
Sehdev Sharma, who came to receive Indian National Gajanand Sharma at Attari-Wagah border, is a Punjab based activist
Pakistan government released 29 Indian prisoners, including 26 fishermen at Punjab's Attari-Wagah Border as a humanitarian gesture, reported ANI.
Delhi Metro Parking Lots to Stay Shut for I-Day
As a part of the security measures in view of Independence Day celebrations, parking facilities at the metro stations in the national capital will not be available from 14 August morning till 2 pm on 15 August.
However, there would be no restrictions on entry and exit at any of the metro stations, a senior Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) official said.
MHA Asks Citizens Not to Use Plastic National Flags
The Ministry of Home Affairs has urged all citizens not to use national flags made of plastic and asked the states and the union territories to ensure strict compliance of the flag code.
In an advisory to states and union territories, the Home Ministry said the national flag represents hopes and aspirations of the people of India and hence should occupy a position of honour.
The ministry said it has been brought to its notice that during important events, the national flag made of plastic is used in place of paper flags.
Since plastic flags are not biodegradable like paper flags, they do not get decomposed for a long time and ensuring appropriate disposal of national flag made of plastic commensurate with the dignity of the flag, is a practical problem, the advisory said.
PM Modi's I-Day Speech to Be Streamed Live on Google, Youtube
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech will be available on the Google homepage with public broadcaster Prasar Bharati tying up with the American tech giant for livestreaming the event.
Doordarshan's coverage of Independence Day celebrations on 15 August will open with a patriotic song recorded by singer composer Shankar Mahadevan, and in a first, anchors will present the event from the ramparts of Red Fort.
"Apart from what we normally do, which is going live on TV and livestreaming on Youtube and so on, we will also have the livestream available on the Google search home page as well," Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati told PTI.
PM Modi Arrives at Rajghat
PM Modi arrived at Rajghat ahead of his address to the nation on the 72nd Independence Day.
PM Modi Arrives at Red Fort
PM Modi arrived at Red Fort for the Independence Day address.
PM Modi Unfurls National Flag
PM Modi unfurled the national flag ahead of his address to the nation.
PM Modi Addresses Nation on 72nd Independence Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began addressing the nation on the 72nd Independence Day at the Red Fort in New Delhi. This is the PM's fifth and the last Independence Day address to the nation ahead of the general elections in 2019.
PM Modi Lauds Successful Monsoon Session of Parliament
PM Modi while addressing the nation on the 72nd independence day lauded the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.
PM Lauds Women Navy Officers Who Circumnavigated the Globe
PM Modi, while addressing the nation on the 72nd independence day, lauded six women officers of the Indian Navy who circumnavigated the globe recently on INSV Tarini.
“We are proudly celebrating IndependenceDay today as six women officers of the Indian Navy, circumnavigated the globe recently,” he said.
Key Highlights of PM Modi's Speech: Parliament Session, Backward Classes Bill
- The recently concluded Parliament session was one devoted to social justice. The Parliament session witnessed the passage of the Bill to create an OBC Commission
- On behalf of the people of India, I bow to all those great women and men who sacrificed themselves for the nation during the freedom movement
- The Constitution of India, given to us by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has spoken about justice for all. We have to ensure social justice for all and create an India that is progressing rapidly
Key Highlights of PM Modi's Speech: Attack on Opposition, MSP, GST and OROP
- Next year on Baisakhi, it will be 100 years of Jallianwala Bagh massacre. I pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives
- If we had continued at the same pace at which toilets were being built in 2013, the pace at which electrification was happening in 2013, then it would have taken us decades to complete them. At the 2013 pace of growth, India would not have developed in a 100 years.
- 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 the blessings of the farmers, the decision on MSP was taken by our Government .
- Who did not want the implementation of GST, and yet it was pending for years. Last year, GST became a reality. I want to thank the business community for the success of the tax reform.
- The demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) was pending for decades. The people of India and our brave army personnel had faith in us, which enabled us to take a decision on OROP. We will always take decisions in the interests of our nation.
Key Highlights of PM Modi's Speech: Economy and Space Technology
- 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.
- India's voice is being heard effectively at the world stage. We are integral parts of forums whose doors were earlier closed for us.
- There was a time when citizens from the north-east thought Delhi was too far away. We took Delhi to their doorstep.
- On the 75th Independence Day in 2022, an Indian will be sent to space with the National Flag.
- India is proud of our scientists, who are excelling in their research and are at the forefront of innovation.
Key Highlights of PM Modi's Speech: Swacchh Bharat and Healthcare
- With a 'Beej Se Bazar Tak' approach, we are bringing exceptional reforms in the agriculture sector. Our aim is to double farmer incomes by 2022.
- According to WHO, three lakh children have been saved due to the Swacchh Bharat campaign.
- As important as economic growth is dignity of the individual. Initiatives such as Ujjwala and Saubhagya Yojana are enhancing the dignity of fellow Indian.
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan will be launched on 25th September this year. It is high time we ensure that the poor of India get access to good quality and affordable healthcare.
Key Highlights of PM Modi's Speech: Black Money, Triple Talaq and Kashmir
- 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.
- We will not forgive the corrupt and those who have black money. They have ruined the nation. Delhi's streets are free from power brokers. From the voice of power brokers, the voice of the poor is heard.
- The practice of Triple Talaq has caused great injustice among Muslim women. We are trying to end this practice but there are some people who are not wanting it to end. I ensure the Muslim women that I will work to ensure justice is done to them.
- 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.
- Not with goli and gaali, but we want to hug the patriots of Jammu and Kashmir and move forward.