From LAC to LoC, Our Jawans Have Given a Befitting Reply: PM Modi
Catch all the updates around the 74th Independence Day celebrations here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to India’s freedom fighters, as well as those who keep the country safe in his seventh customary address to the nation on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day at Red Fort on Saturday, 15 August. PM Modi also said that from LAC to LoC, whoever attacked India's sovereignty, had received a reply in the same language from India’s soldiers.
Apart from ‘Make in India’, we also have to focus on the aim of ‘Make for World’, PM Modi also said during his speech.
This year's celebrations will be subdued as they come amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Over 4,000 people, including diplomats, officials and media personnel, have been invited for the ceremony at Red Fort, news agency PTI quoted the Defence Ministry as saying.
Addressing the nation on the eve of Independence Day, President Ram Nath Kovind lauded the corona warriors who, he said, have gone far beyond their call of duty to save lives and ensure essential services. He also paid tributes to the 20 soldiers who died during the Galwan Valley clashes with China in June.
- President Kovind on Friday said it was a “superhuman effort” on part of the government to respond effectively in meeting the challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Several iconic buildings in Delhi and Mumbai, including the Parliament House, India Gate, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, were illuminated on the eve of Independence Day
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How Will India Celebrate Independence Day Amid COVID-19?
The celebrations for this year's Independence Day will be low-key due to the coronavirus pandemic. So, how is India planning to ring in the celebrations? What will be different?
Read The Quint's FAQ here.
President Kovind Lauds COVID Warriors, Govt’s ‘Superhuman Effort’ on Independence Day Eve
Addressing the nation on the eve of India's 74th Independence Day, President Ram Nath Kovind praised the corona warriors who, he said, have gone far beyond their call of duty to save lives and ensure essential services.
Pointing out that the celebrations this year will be subdued due to the coronavirus outbreak, Kovind said it was a "superhuman effort" on part of the government to respond effectively in meeting the challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the full story here.
PM Modi Extends Independence Day Wishes to Indians
Independence Day Celebrations at Red Fort Begin
The celebrations have begun at Delhi’s Red Fort, with the inspection of the Guard of Honour completed by PM Modi. The Guard of Honour is being commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Gaurav S Yewalkar.
PM Modi Addresses Nation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins addressing the nation from Red Fort, notes absence of children at the celebrations owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
PM Modi Remembers Sacrifice of Thousands
Congratulating the citizens on the 74th Independence Day, PM Modi said: "Today as we breathe in Independent India, it is because of sacrifice of thousands."
"Our doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, ambulance staff, sanitation workers, police force and several others have continuously worked to fight this coronavirus situation. Many families have been impacted, some lives have been lost. My condolences for the loss of these lives,” PM Modi said.
Independence Day: PM Modi Thanks 'Corona Warriors'
"On behalf of the entire nation, I want to thank the efforts of all corona-warriors,” PM Modi said. "I can’t even count the nameless faces who have worked to fight the coronavirus pandemic. To these coronavirus warriors, I bow my head with humility," PM Modi added.
PM Modi On 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'
PM Modi says that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, 130 crore Indians took the resolve to be self-reliant and pledge to make India ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
PM Modi on India's Efforts During COVID-19 Pandemic
“A few months back we used to import N-95 masks, PPE kits and ventilators. Today India is not only meeting its own requirements but it has also stepped forward to help other countries,” PM Narendra Modi said.
Have to Focus on 'Make for World': PM Modi
Apart from ‘Make in India’, we also have to focus on the aim of ‘Make for World’, PM Modi said during his speech.
"There was a time when our agricultural sector was very backward. The biggest concern then was how to feed the countrymen. Today not only can we feed our citizens but we can also export to the world,” he said.
"I am confident that measures like opening up the space sector, will generate many new employment opportunities for our youth and provide further avenues to hone their skills and potential," Modi said.
PM Modi Stresses on 'Vocal for Local'
“The mindset of free India should be 'vocal for local'. We should appreciate our local products, if we don't do this then our products will not get the opportunity to do better and will not get encouraged,” PM Modi said.
“For how long India will export raw materials and import finished products? The country has to become self-reliant. We have to go beyond reducing our imports,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi on Efforts for India's Middle-Class
PM Modi spoke about the aspirations of India's middle-class and listed steps taken by his government to benefit them. “The middle-class has potential and wants new opportunities,” he said.
PM Modi Hails New National Education Policy
"The recently introduced education policy will shape India of the 21st century," PM Modi said in his speech on India’s 74th Independence Day.
PM Modi Announces National Digital Health Mission
PM Modi announced the National Digital Health Mission on India’s 74th Independence Day, which he said would greatly help India’s citizens and every citizen would have a health ID, which will have entire medical history. “It will bring a new revolution in India's health sector,” he said.
PM Modi on Vaccines for Coronavirus
“We have three potential COVID-19 vaccines under development in various stages in India. Once approved, we will produce the vaccine on a mass scale and get it to everyone,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi on Border Situation
"From the LAC to LoC, our jawans have given a befitting reply to anyone who tried to eye our territory. The whole country is united. The whole world has seen our capabilities in this regard in Ladakh," PM Modi said.
PM Modi on Delimitation Exercise in J&K
PM Modi said that the delimitation exercise is being carried out in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the country is committed for completion of this work so that elections are held and people's representatives are elected there.
Israeli PM Netanyahu Wishes India
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday congratulated his Indian counterpart and a "very good friend" Narendra Modi and the people of India on the eve of the country's Independence Day, saying "you have so much to be proud of".
ITBP Jawans Celebrate Independence Day
The soldiers of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) celebrated the country’s Independence Day on the banks of Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh at 14,000 feet. The soldiers carried the tricolour of ITBP flags as part of the celebrations.
Uttarakhand CM Hoists National Flag at Residence
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat hoists the national flag at his residence, on the occasion of 74th Independence Day.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Extends I-Day Wishes
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal wished the country on the occasion of 74th Independence Day on Saturday, paying tributes to the martyrs.
CM Thackeray Hoists National Flag at Official Residence
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray hoists the National Flag at Varsha Bungalow, his official residence on Independence Day.
CM Kejriwal Hoists Flag at Delhi Secretariat
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hoisted the National Flag at Delhi Secretariat on Independence Day.
Prez Kovind Pays Tribute at National War Memorial
President Ram Nath Kovind paid tribute at National War Memorial on Independence Day. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh & Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria were also present.
Nepal PM Oli Extends Independence Day Greetings to India, PM Modi
DRDO Developed Anti-Drone System Deployed Near Red Fort
An anti-drone system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was deployed near the Red Fort on Saturday on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day, ANI reported. The DRDO-developed system can detect and jam micro drones up to 3 kilometres and use laser to bring down a target up to 1-2.5 kilometres depending on the wattage of laser weapon, officials had earlier said.
Ladakh LG Radha Krishna Mathur Hoists Flag
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Radha Krishna Mathur hoisted the national flag at Polo Ground on the occasion of Independence day on Saturday, 15 August.
PM Modi Thanks Israel PM Netanyahu For I-Day Wishes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its people for Independence Day wishes.
Gujarat CM Hoists National Flag
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani hoisted the national flag in Gandhinagar on Saturday, 15 August, on the occasion of Independence Day.
I-Day Celebrations at Attari-Wagah Border Underway
The Independence Day celebrations are underway at the Attari-Wagah border on Saturday, 15 August.