India is celebrating its 71st Independence Day today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort. The ceremonies at the Red Fort happened amid a tight security cover.
- PM Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort on the occasion of India’s 71st Independence Day
- ‘We cannot accept violence in the name of faith’, PM Modi said during his address
- He also talked about the need to embrace all Kashmiris, and spoke about the benefits of GST
- Bringing up the Gorakhpur incident where at least 65 children died, Modi said the ‘people of India stand with those affected by the tragedy’
- Speaking for 57 minutes, Modi delivered his shortest Independence Day speech in four years
'Successfully Taken Back Illegal Money': PM Modi
Addressing the issue of black money, PM Modi said,
We have successfully taken back illegal money into the formal economy. Rs 3 lakh crore has come back into the economy after demonetisation. Over Rs 2 lakh crore is under scrutiny.PM Modi
Indian and Pakistani Soldiers Exchange Sweets at Wagah
Border guards of India and Pakistan exchange sweets and greetings at Attari-Wagah border.
Modi Keeps His Promise, Delivers His Shortest Independence Day Speech
Having made a record of delivering the longest Independence Day speech last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his shortest speech from the ramparts of Red Fort this year.
Modi spoke for 57 minutes, his shortest Independence Day speech in four years.
Last year, he had spoken for 96 minutes, the longest ever Independence Day address by an Indian Prime Minister.
India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru spoke for 72 minutes in 1947 which was till 2015 the longest ever speech from the Red Fort.
In his radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’ last month, Modi said said he had received letters from people complaining that his Independence Day speeches were “a little too long”, and promised to make a shorter speech.
He spoke for over 65 minutes in 2014 and 86 minutes in 2015.
Modi's predecessor Manmohan Singh, who delivered 10 speeches over his long tenure at the helm, stuck to the 50- minute mark in his Independence Day speeches.