Independence Day 2018: PM Narendra Modi's speech- As it happened

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• 15 Aug 2018, 08:57 AM

  
   @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

   @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:55 AM

   

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

   @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:51 AM

  PM Modi says he is very eager to ensure that India increases its path of development to go ahead of other countries. 

  Khud likhenge apni takdir, hum badal rahenge tasvir- says PM Modi

  PM Modi gives the clarion call of New india and said that 125 crore people can ensure that.

   

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:50 AM

   @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

   @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:47 AM

  PM Modi says Housing, Power, Connectivity, LPG, Sanitation for all is the target of the government. PM says as per Sabka Saath, Sabka Paas, the government doesn't discriminate between any people. 

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:42 AM

  PM Modi says that how internal security situation have improved in the last few years. 

  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: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  PM Modi also weighs in on the Kashmir problem

  जम्मू-कश्मीर के लिए अटल जी का आह्वान था- इंसानियत, कश्मीरियत, जम्हूरियत। मैंने भी कहा है, जम्मू- कश्मीर की हर समस्या का समाधान गले लगाकर ही किया जा सकता है। हमारी सरकार जम्मू-कश्मीर के सभी क्षेत्रों और सभी वर्गों के विकास के लिए प्रतिबद्ध है: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:36 AM

  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: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  In today's India there is no place for nepotism.
  
  We have ensured environmental clearances are done transparently: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

   

  PM Modi mentions how women have been the change drivers in the society currently. He recalls that for the first time Supreme Court has three women judges. He recalls about cases of rapes in the country. PM Modi says that in MP and Rajasthan, fast track courts have convicted rapists and have given them death sentence. PM says these kind of news should be promoted more so that people are wary of consequences. PM says that for him, rule of the law is important. No one can be allowed to take law in their own hand. 

  PM Modi says that families, schools colleges etc have to ensure that women have a safe space to do their work. 

  PM Modi says some people are not allowing to pass Triple Talaq bill but assures that he would do his best to ensure that rights of Muslim women are respected. 

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:34 AM

  आज देश ईमानदारी का उत्सव मना रहा है : PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  People who used to call #India economy fragile and risky are today saying reform momentum is strengthening our economic fundamentals, where India was counted in Fragile Five, today India is hailed as a multi-trillion dollar investment destination: PM @narendramodi @FinMinIndia pic.twitter.com/kxyGIoVv2V

  — PIB India (@PIB_India) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:31 AM

  PM Modi salutes all honest tax payers of the country. PM says that their contribution is funding the subsidies for the poor. 

  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: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  He says that in the last 4 years, direct tax base has increased from 3.75 crores to 6.75 crores. PM mentions that many are instigating people not to pay tax, but common Indians know that their money is being well-used for the development of the country. 

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:21 AM

  Due to Swachh Bharat mission, lakhs of children can lead healthier lives. Even the @WHO has lauded the movement.
  
  Mahatma Gandhi led the Satyagrahis to freedom.
  
  Today, the Swachhagrahis have to ensure a Swachh Bharat: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  PM Modi mentions that Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana will be launched on September 25 on Deen Dayal Upadhyay's birth anniversary. He says as of now the pilot project will start across several parts of the country.  

  25 सितंबर को, पंडित दीन दयाल की जयंती पर, प्रधानमंत्री जन आरोग्य योजना शुरू कर दिया जाएगा : PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

   

  He says that no poor want to die in poverty or want their kids to be born in poverty. PM speaks about empowering the poor people of India. PM quotes a report that in the last two years five crore people have come out of the poverty line. 

  PM says Ayushman Bharat is another game-changing scheme to empower the poor citizens of India. It will help 10 crore families i,e 50 crore people nationally. 

  PM says that efforts are on to check leakages. PM cites a startling statistic that almost 6 crore fraudulent names of beneficiaries have been struck down. He says in the process, the government has saved Rs 90,000 crore.  PM mentions how subsidised food was pilfered and poor people had to buy at higher rates. That has been considerably checked, says PM Modi. 

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:21 AM

  The country is buying tractors and airplanes alike, building toilets in schools and IIMs, alike, constructing twice the highways and electrifying four times the villages : PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/h1k0AwdjPW

  — PIB India (@PIB_India) August 15, 2018

  PM Modi explained how development has taken flight  

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:18 AM

  PM Modi says how Ujjawala and Saubhagya schemes have been gamechanger. He says that the government has ensured that the last mile connectivity is established. 

  PM Modi cites WHO report to say that lives of 3 lakh kids have been saved owing to Swachh Bharat Mission. He says that when the scheme was introduced many people mocked it. PM says that the goal is ensure a clean India by next year, which is 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary. 

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:17 AM

  PM Modi is now explaining what has been done for the farmers. 

  With a 'Beej Se Bazar Tak' approach, we are bringing remarkable changes in the agriculture sector. The aim is to double farmer incomes by 2022: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

   

  हम मक्खन पर लकीर नहीं, पत्थर पर लकीर खींचने वाले हैं: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  आज हमारा पूरा ध्यान कृषि क्षेत्र में बदलाव लाने का, आधुनिकता लाने का है: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:10 AM

  PM Modi makes a big announcement, says by 2022, one Indian will go to space with a tri-colour in hand.

  : PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:05 AM

  PM Modi says how the story from North East has changed significantly in the last four years. He says earlier all the news from North East were depressing, but now it is in news for positive developments. PM Modi recollects achievements of athletics and many other fields. 

   

  एक समय था जब नॉर्थ ईस्ट को लगता था कि दिल्ली बहुत दूर है, आज हमने दिल्ली को नॉर्थ ईस्ट के दरवाजे पर लाकर खड़ा कर दिया है : PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  India's voice is being heard effectively at the world stage. We are integral parts of forums whose doors were earlier closed for us: PM Narendra Modi #IndiaIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/M98iaYypS4

  — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018

   

  PM Modi says that today people from tier 2 and tier 3 cities are also becoming part of the development project. PM says 13 crore people have taken Mudra loans, 4 crore of them first time loan takers. 

  PM hails contribution of scientists who have made us proud particularly in the space sector. 

  In 2014 the people didn't just elect a government but got together to build our nation: PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/Lve0HpbTqu

  — PIB India (@PIB_India) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:04 AM

  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: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  Jab honsle buland hote hain, desh ke liye kuch karne ka irada hota hai toh benami sampati ka kanoon bhi lagu hota hai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi #IndiaIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/0S7ZIZrzwQ

  — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018

  Subramania Bharathi, the Tamil poet had long back written, #India would show the way to freedom from all bondage in the world: PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/uif455iPHe

  — PIB India (@PIB_India) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 08:00 AM

  PM Modi says the day of policy paralysis is over, Today it is about Reform, Perform, Transform. 

  He says that globally those who were predicting doomsdays for India are now gushing about India's growth. 

  हम कड़े फैसले लेने का सामर्थ्य रखते हैं क्योंकि देशहित हमारे लिए सर्वोपरी है: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  People globally are saying, " Sleeping elephant has now woken up, have started moving", says PM Modi. 

  PM says for next three decades India will drive the global growth.  Modi says that India has become part of many groups of nation, where critical issues are discussed and India's words are taken seriously. He talks about International Solar Alliance and how India is leading in that front. 

  He says globally anywhere if Indians are in trouble, they know that the country has his/her back. 

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:53 AM

  जिस रफ्तार से 2013 में गांवों तक ऑप्टिकल फाइबर पहुंचाने का काम चल रहा था, उस रफ्तार से देश के हर गांव को ऑप्टिकल फाइबर से जोड़ने में कई पीढ़ियां गुजर जातीं: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  PM Modi says that when targets are not fixed properly, then no goal can be achieved. 

  PM Modi says that 1.5 times MSP for farmers was discussed and debated for a long time, but no one implemented it. However, NDA government ensured that farmers get their due. 

  PM Modi says that GST has been successful thanks to help from traders who looked at the bigger picture and were willing to adapt to changes. PM Modi says that despite initial trouble, people supported GST wholeheartedly. 

  PM Modi also mentions how IBC Code has been implemented to improve the financial health of banks. PM Modi recalls how OROP has been started which was stuck for decades. 

  PM says that he is not worried about taking the tough calls as and when required.  

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:48 AM

  PM says that the pace of development has significantly increased post 2013. He mentions schemes like rural electrification, swachh bharat, LPG gas connection etc where much more people have been reached in a faster pace than in 2013. 

  He says that people are same, but the pace of development has increased dramaticlly. 

  We celebrate #IndependenceDayIndia when our daughters from various states have crossed seven seas and colored them saffron, white and green, says PM @narendramodi #insvtarini #RedFort pic.twitter.com/CMnCc4kbHg

  — PIB India (@PIB_India) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:45 AM

  PM Modi hails India's Constitution and explains how it has helped in empowering all walks of the society. PM recalls about the concept of Team India and how it is transforming lives of people. He says that in 2014, people not only formed government, but also got involved in nation building. 

  महान तमिल कवि, दीर्घदृष्टा और आशावादी सुब्रामणियम भारती ने लिखा था कि भारत न सिर्फ एक महान राष्ट्र के रूप में उभरेगा बल्कि दूसरों को भी प्रेरणा देगा।
  
  उन्होंने कहा था- भारत पूरी दुनिया को हर तरह के बंधनों से मुक्ति पाने का रास्ता दिखाएगा: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

   

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:44 AM

  Many parts of the nation witnessed a good monsoon but at the same time parts of India have been affected by flooding. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives due to floods in various parts of India: PM @narendramodi

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  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: PM @narendramodi at the Red Fort

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2018

  Prime Minister @narendramodi unfurls the Tricolor at the ramparts of #RedFort on the occasion of #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/Cz0SkYBxZm

  — PIB India (@PIB_India) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:40 AM

  PM pays respect to all the people who have lost their dear ones in the floods happening in several parts of the country.

  PM remembers that next year will be 100 years of the Jalianwala Bagh massacre. He pays tribute to all who lost their lives on that fateful day.

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:38 AM

  PM Modi says that India's economy is now sixth largest. He says that today India is celebrating Independence Day in a positive mindset. He pays respect to all the freedom fighters who laid down their lives to ensure that India get freedom. 

  He also hails the contributions of all security forces who ensure that India is safe and secured. 

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:32 AM

  PM Modi is now speaking. He says that the country is full of confidence now. He says today's sunrise brings a beacon of hope and enthusiasm. 

  Addressing the people of India from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Watch. https://t.co/thwrgd8nb5

  — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2018

  PM Modi says India is scaling new heights literally. He recalls how women and kids from tribal areas have gone and raised the Indian tricolour on top of the Everest. 

  PM says that this session of Parliament has been very fruitful and it was dedicated to ensuring that the weaker sections of the society get their rights.  

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:26 AM

  PM Modi has hoisted the flag! The national anthem is being played. Happy Independence Day to all our readers! 

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:25 AM

  From the southern end of #RedFort, through the Lahori Gate, Prime Minister @narendramodi's carcade arrives for #IndependenceDay2018 celebrations#IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/cHdKYPebAY

  — PIB India (@PIB_India) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:24 AM

  Prime Minister @narendramodi pays tributes to father of the nation #MahatmaGandhi at Rajghat in NewDelhi#IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/MCVksKoOuV

  — PIB India (@PIB_India) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:21 AM

  Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Red Fort, to address the nation shortly. #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/gPvCAgNb7o

  — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:18 AM

  
  

  PM Modi taking the guard of honour. 

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:11 AM

  PM Modi is paying his tributes at Rajghat. 

  

   

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:08 AM

  PM Modi is likely to throw more light on One Nation, One Poll concept. There are reports that BJP is looking to conduct 11 assembly elections together with Lok Sabha polls. 

  
• 15 Aug 2018, 07:06 AM

  This is PM Modi's last Independence Day speech in this term. So expect PM Modi to give his report card and also make some big ticket announcements. Ayushman Bharat project will be formally rolled out. There is speculation that a National Defence Policy may be unveiled.