Independence Day LIVE Updates: 'Sabka Prayaas' Crucial for Achieving Goals, Says PM Modi, Stresses on 'Aatma Nirbhar' Bharat

In the coming days, we will launch PM Gati Shakti Plan, a 100 lakh crore national infrastructure master plan which will make a foundation for holistic infrastructure and give an integrated pathway to our economy75 Vande Bharat trains will connect every corner of India in 75 weeks of Amrit Mahotsav of Independence: PM Modi at Red Fort

Our mantra is 'Chhota kisan bane desh ki shaan'. It's our dream. In yrs to come, we've to further increase the collective strength of small farmers of the country, we will have to provide them new facilities. 'Kisan rail' runs on more than 70 rail routes of the country today: PM

We have to work together for the next-generation infrastructure, world-class manufacturing, cutting innovations and new-age technology: PM Modi.

Today we see our villages changing rapidly. In past few yrs, facilities like road & electricity have reached villages. Today, optical fiber network is providing the power of data to villages, internet is reaching there. Digital entrepreneurs are getting ready in villages too. In the coming years, we will have to increase the collective power of the small farmers of the country. We have to give them new facilities. They must become the country's pride: PM Modi at Red Fort

It is essential to fully utilise the capabilities of India to take it to new heights, in the 21st century. For this, we have to hold hands of the section that is lagging behind, the area that is lagging behind. Besides caring about basic facilities, reservation for Dalits, backwards, tribals, economically weak sections of general category. Recently reservation was granted to OBCs, under all-India quota, in medical education. States have been granted right to make their own OBC lists: PM Narendra Modi on 75th Independence Day.

PM Modi during his Independence Day speech: We have to bring out the potential of our North East and give them equal opportunities in this developmental journey of our nation....Ladakh is witnessing a new transformative phase where the government is focusing on building world-class infrastructure. Delimitation Commission has been constituted in Jammu and Kashmir and preparations are on for assembly elections in the future.

PM Modi: In this Bharat ki Vikas Yatra, we have to ensure that we meet our goal of building an 'Aatma Nirbhar Bharat' when we celebrate 100 years of India's Independence. We have to change ourselves in changing times. ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ and Now, ‘Sabka Prayaas’ is important for achieving our aim of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. We have to connect 100% of our citizens with schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala Yojna, Pension Yojna, Awas Yojna, etc. among others. To take India to newer heights, our government has passed the OBC bill. It will provide reservation to the backward classes of our country.

PM Modi says, "In this Bharat ki Vikas Yatra, we don't have to limit our celebrations to 'Amrit Mahotsav' but ensure that we meet our goals when we celebrate 100 years of India's Independence. Our goal is to develop a nation where we not only have world-class infrastructure but also move ahead with the mantra of 'Minimum government, maximum governance'"

PM Modi: This period of Corona has come as a big challenge in front of our country, which is growing on the path of progress, in front of the entire human race. The people of India have fought this battle with restraint and patience. It is a moment of pride for us that because of our scientists, we were able to develop two Make In India COVID Vaccines and carry out the world's Largest Vaccine Drive. After all our efforts we also lost many in this fight against COVID19. This unbearable pain will always remain with us. 

PM Modi: Partition’s pains can never be forgotten. Yesterday we took an emotional decision of marking 14th August as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

The athletes who have made us proud at Tokyo Olympics are here amongst us today. I urge the nation to applaud their achievement today. They have not only won our hearts but also inspired future generations: PM Modi

During COVID, our doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, sanitation workers, scientists who were developing vaccines & crores of citizens who were working with a sense of service -all those who devoted every moment to serve others in this period, deserve our appreciation: PM Modi

I convey my greetings on this special occasion of Independence Day. This is a day to remember our great freedom fighters: PM Modi at Red Fort

A visual from the flag-hoisting eceremony

PM Modi Addresses Nation | Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins on the rampart of the historic Red Fort on the 75th Independence Day. He begins by greeting the people of India on the "solemn" occasion and remembering the sacrifices of the nation's freedom fighters. 

A visual from the flag-hoisting eceremony

Independence Day: PM Modi Unfurls the Tricolour | Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the Indian National Flag as the tricolour will receive a 'Rashtriya Salute'. The Navy Band, consisting of 16 men played the National Anthem during hoisting of the National Flag and the 'Rashritya Salute'. 

Independence Day: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspects the guard of honour at Red Fort

In Pictures: India Illuminated in Tricolour on Eve of 75th Independence Day | From Raisina Hills in Delhi to Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, historic buildings were illuminated with tricolour on eve of India's 75th Independence Day. CHECK PHOTOS HERE.

6 Army Men Get Shaurya Chakra for Anti-terror Operations in Jammu and Kashmir | India's third-highest gallantry medal in peacetime, Shaurya Chakra, has been awarded to six Army personnel including posthumously to one for displaying bravery in anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir last year. The recipients of the prestigious award are Major Arun Kumar Pandey, Major Ravi Kumar Chaudhary, Captain Ashutosh Kumar (posthumously), Captain Vikas Khatri, Rifleman Mukesh Kumar and Sepoy Neeraj Ahlawat, according to the Indian Army.

'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' | The Prime Minister has launched 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' from Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmedabad in Gujarat in March 2021 to celebrate 75 years of India's Independence. The celebrations will continue till August 15, 2023.  The Defence Secretary will introduce the General Officer Commanding (GoC) of Delhi Area Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra to the Prime Minister.

Independence Day 2021: Is India Celebrating 74th or 75th Anniv of Freedom Struggle? Read Answer Here | August 15 is commemorated every year as the day India gained independence from British rule. From the time the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the Indian flag at the Red Fort, India has been working towards continuing its “tryst with destiny”. Read the full story here.

Covid-19 Dominated PM Modi's 2020 I-Day Speech, What to Expect This Year As India Marches Ahead | PM Modi is expected to devote larger share of his Independence Day speech this year as well as on the pandemic as the country is still reeling under the consequences of the second wave. Read the full story here.

August 14 to be Marked as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day: PM Modi | On the eve of India's Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that August 14, which is also Pakistan’s Independence Day, will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in memory of the struggles and sacrifices of our people. “Partitions pains can never be forgotten. Millions of our sisters and brothers were displaced and many lost their lives due to mindless hate and violence. In memory of the struggles and sacrifices of our people, 14th August will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day," PM Modi said.

'A Long Way From 1947': Highlights from President Kovind's Address to the Nation on I-Day Eve | Addressing the nation on the eve of India’s Independence Day on August 15, President Ram Nath Kovind said the country has come a long way from 1947. “Our dream of freedom was realized through the struggle of many generations of known and unknown freedom fighters. All of them set unique examples of sacrifice and sacrifice. I bow down to the sacred memory of all those immortal fighters," Kovind said. The President also hailed the athletes who had competed in the Olympics, calling them ‘heroes’. Read the full story here.

PM Modi had delivered his first Independence Day speech in 2014. That was an extempore speech used to connect with the Indians directly on the most important day of the country to highlight the issues the country was facing and to convey his government’s policies and vision ahead. Since then, the PM has followed a similar format every year on Independence Day, delivering the progress reports of the last year and the path ahead for the next year.

75th Independence Day | Lt Commander P. Priyambada Sahoo will assist the Prime Minister in hoisting the National Flag. It will be synchronised with the 21 Gun Salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 2233 Field Battery (Ceremonial). The National Flag Guard comprising five officers and 130 men from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police will present Rashtriya Salute at the time of hoisting of the National Flag by the Prime Minister. Commander Kuldeep M. Neralkar from the Indian Navy will be in command of this Inter-Services Guard and Police Guard.

Independence Day Flag Hoisting Ceremony | Lt Gen Mishra will conduct the Prime Minister to the dais on the rampart to hoist the National Flag. After being hoisted, the Tricolour will receive a 'Rashtriya Salute'. The Navy Band, consisting of 16 men will play the National Anthem during hoisting of the National Flag and the 'Rashritya Salute'. The Band will be conducted by MCPO Vincent Johnson.

After inspecting the Guard of Honour, Modi will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort where he will be greeted by Singh, Bhatt, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff General M.M. Naravane, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria.

Independence Day 2021: The Guard of Honour Contingent for PM Modi | The Guard of Honour contingent,  commanded by Commander Piyush Gaur, for the Prime Minister will consist of one officer and 20 men each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police. Indian Navy is the coordinating service this year. The Naval Contingent in the Prime Minister's Guard will be commanded by Lt Commander Sune Phogat, the Army Contingent by Major Vikas Sangwan and the Air Force contingent by Sqn Ldr Berwal. The Delhi Police contingent will be commanded by Additional DCP (West District) Subodh Kumar Goswami.