In his speech addressing the nation on Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is currently facing two big challenges - corruption and 'parivaarvaad' (nepotism).
The prime minister trained his guns on 'parivaarvaad' (nepotism) and said several institutions in India have been shackled by nepotism. He said, "It is not limited to just politics and it promotes corruption. We need to free the country from nepotism as it is impeding the growth of the nation."
He added that there is a need to raise awareness against nepotism to realise the strength of India's institutions and to take the country forward on the basis of merit.
Speaking on the topic of corruption in the country, he said, "Corruption is hollowing the country like a termite and we will have to fight it." He added that those who looted India in the past are "paying for their sins now". "We are confiscating their ill-gotten gain," added the prime minister.
He asked people for their support in fighting corruption and said he is taking on "both corruption and the corrupted".
PM Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort in a speech that lasted for about 83 minutes.