Independence Day 2019 LIVE: Big defence, infra push; PM's key announcements

Independence Day speech LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation concludes. Know important highlights of the prime minister's speech

10:52 AM

My best wishes to all of you on this our 73rd Independence Day: Rahul Gandhi

10:51 AM

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Kapil Sibal, BS Hooda,Ahmed Patel,Dr.Manmohan Singh and others at party office

10:31 AM

Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik unfurls the national flag at Sher-i-Kashmir stadium

10:30 AM

10:30 AM

J&K's identity has not been tampered with, says governor Satya Pal Malik

Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik at Sher-i-Kashmir stadium in SRINAGAR: I assure the people of Jammu & Kashmir that their identity is not on the line, it hasn't been tampered with. The constitution of India allows different regional identities to flourish.

9:20 AM

Must reduce use of plastic bags: PM Modi

Can we free India from single use plastic? The time for implementing such an idea has come. Teams may be mobilised to work in this direction. Let a significant step be made on 2nd October. Our priority should be a 'Made in India' product. Can we think of consuming local products, improving rural economy and the MSME sector.

9:14 AM

Highlights of Independence Day speech 2019

India to get a Chief of Defence Staff

Rs 100-trn investment in building modern infra

We now have 'One nation, one Constitution'

Focus on local for Rs 5-trn economy goal

Export, tourism focus for better tomorrow

Rs 3.5-trn Jal Jeevan Mission

Population explosion a threat for tomorrow

9:11 AM

Modi greets children after his Independence Day speech

9:10 AM

Dynasty a deep rooted disease: Modi

9:09 AM

There should be no pressure from the government, but when need there should also be no lack of government either; we ended 1 unnecessary law every day in the previous govt and repealed 60 laws in 10 weeks of current government, says Modi in Independence Day speech.

9:05 AM

Modi concludes Independence Day speech

9:04 AM

Independence Day speech LIVE updates: India to have Chief of Defence Staff

9:03 AM

We must be proud of our wealth collectors, says Modi in Independence Day speech

8:58 AM

Modi in Independence Day speech: India will have a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). This is going to make the forces even more effective.

8:52 AM

Afghanistan to celebrate 100th independence in a few days. PM Modi congratulates the neighbouring country

8:51 AM

Modi in Independence Day speech: The fundamentals of our economy are strong

8:48 AM

8:46 AM

Modi in Independence Day speech: Govt has controlled price hike

8:43 AM

Modi in Independence Day speech: We neither nurse problems, nor keep them pending, says PM on Article 370

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that his government neither nurses problems nor keeps them pending and referred to the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, saying India now is one nation with one constitution.

 

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort here on the 73rd Independence Day, he also said that within 10 weeks of assuming power, his government has taken key decisions such as bringing a new law to ban the practice of instant triple talaq and scrapping provisions of Article 370 related to Jammu and Kashmir.

 

"Our government does not delay decisions. We neither nurse problems nor keep them pending," he said while referring to Article 370.

 

Previous governments made efforts in the past 70 years to deal with Kashmir, but it did not bear results, he said, adding "a new approach was needed".

8:40 AM

Modi in Independence Day speech on population explosion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed concern over "population explosion" in the country saying it causes new challenges for the coming generations, and asserted that the central and state governments should launch measures to deal with the issue.

 

In his Independence Day speech, Modi said the issue of ever-rising population is a matter of concern and said that a small section of society, which keeps their families small, deserves respect. What they are doing is an act of patriotism, he said.

 

This is the first time Modi has raised the issue, even though a section of the BJP has been vocal about the matter.

 

If population is educated and healthy, the country too will be educated and healthy, he said.

8:39 AM

Modi in Independence Day speech: Govt to launch Jal Jeevan Mission to bring piped water to households

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday the government will launch a Jal Jeevan Mission to bring piped water to households and resolved to spend more than Rs 3.5 lakh crore in coming years.

 

In his Independence Day address, Modi said half of the country's households do not have access to piped water.

 

"I want to announce from the Red Fort that we will move forward with Jal Jeevan Mission. The Centre and states will work towards it and in coming years, more than Rs 3.5 lakh crore will be spent," he said.

 

Modi said for water conservation, efforts need to quadruple in the next five years as to what was done in the last seven decades.

 

8:37 AM

Govt has decided to invest 100 trillion on modern infrastructure

Modi in Independence Day speech: Today  according to the needs of the 21st century, modern infrastructure is being set up. We have decided to invest Rs 100 lakh crore on the country's infrastructure.

8:35 AM

Modi in Independence Day speech: I always ask this question..can we not reduce the interference of Governments in people's lives? Let our people have the freedom to follow their own aspirations. We have abolished a lot of laws.

8:33 AM

8:32 AM

Modi in Independence Day speech: Our Muslim daughters and sisters were living lives in fear of Triple Talaq; when we can act against systems of sati, child marriage, female foeticide or dowry then why not raise our voice against triple talaq.

8:30 AM

Modi in Independence Day speech: Govt to spend 3.5 trillion on Jal Jeevan yojana

8:26 AM

Modi in Independence Day speech: Govt to invest Rs 100 trn in creating modern infra

8:25 AM

Modi in Independence Day speech: We have made significant progress for the welfare of people.

8:23 AM

Modi in Independence Day speech: Every effort towards removing corruption and black money is welcome.

Modi in Independence Day speech: Every effort towards removing corruption and black money is welcome. These are issues that have plagued India for 70 years. Let us always reward honesty.

8:21 AM