I-Day LIVE: Delhi CM announces 'Deshbhakti Curriculum' for govt schools

Independence Day speech 2021 LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort today. Catch LIVE updates on I-day celebrations across India

2:42 PM

PM giving same speech for 7 years, no implementation on ground: Congress

The Congress on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of only making announcements about schemes in his Independence Day speeches and not implementing them, even as it hit out at him for not withdrawing the three agri laws against which the farmers have been protesting.

 

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said for seven years the country has been listening to the "same speeches" by the prime minister but nothing is being done for any aggrieved section, including small farmers.

1:30 PM

Lt Governor, UT Ladakh, RK Mathur hoists the National Flag at the Pologround in Leh

1:09 PM

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hoists the National Flag at Secretariat Building

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hoists the National Flag at  Secretariat Building on Independence Day, announces 'Deshbhakti Curriculum' in Delhi Govt Schools from September 27 as a tribute to Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

12:53 PM

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar hoists the National Flag in Faridabad

12:09 PM

DRDO’s anti-drone system deployed today near the Red Fort on Independence Day

DRDO’s anti-drone system deployed today near the Red Fort on Independence Day to provide protection against any drone activity there

11:46 AM

Internet, mobile services unaffected as J&K celebrates Independence Day

For the first time in three years, Internet and mobile services remained unaffected in Jammu and Kashmir on Independence Day which is being celebrated in the Valley in a relaxed atmosphere, officials said Sunday.

 

"There is neither internet shutdown nor #restrictions on the eve of the #IndependenceDay," Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said in a tweet.

 

This is for the first time in three years that internet and mobile services in Kashmir remained unaffected on the Independence Day.

 

These services used to be snapped on Independence Day and Republic Day as part of the security drill.

 

The services were not snapped last in 2018 during governor N N Vohra's tenure. Read on...

11:41 AM

Modi promises infra boost, jobs, reforms in Independence Day speech

The government will launch a Rs 100-trillion infrastructure plan that will beef up roads, ports, airports while providing jobs, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday as he asked Indians to join the post-Covid reconstruction of India and put the horrors of the pandemic behind them.

 

Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti Bharat Master Plan will help boost productivity of industries and it "will create job opportunities for hundreds of thousands", he said at the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi. Read on...

11:33 AM

In pics: Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra, center, arrives for the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort

11:21 AM

PM Modi announces establishment of e-commerce platforms for products made by self help groups

The government will establish e-commerce platforms to provide a market for the products made by self help groups (SHGs), said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.

 

Delivering his customary address to the nation on the occasion of 75th Independence Day on Sunday, the Prime Minister said, "There are more than 8 crore women in the village who are associated with self-help groups, who make products. The government will prepare an e-commerce platform for their products to get a big market in the country and abroad."

 

He further said that the country is moving forward with the slogan of 'Vocal for Local'.

 

"India has started the 'Local for Vocal' initiative and it is our responsibility to buy indigenous products. Our vision of plastic-free India can only be made true if we stop the use of single-use plastic completely," noted the Prime Minister.

11:14 AM

Internet, mobile services unaffected as J&K celebrates Independence Day

For the first time in three years, Internet and mobile services remained unaffected in Jammu and Kashmir on Independence Day which is being celebrated in the Valley in a relaxed atmosphere, officials said Sunday.

 

"There is neither internet shutdown nor #restrictions on the eve of the #IndependenceDay," Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said in a tweet.

 

This is for the first time in three years that internet and mobile services in Kashmir remained unaffected on the Independence Day.

 

These services used to be snapped on Independence Day and Republic Day as part of the security drill. Read on...

11:09 AM

75th Independence Day: PM Modi announces 75 Vande Bharat trains to connect different part of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that 75 'Vande Bharat' trains would connect different parts of the country in 75 weeks to mark the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' being observed by the nation.

 

The Prime Minister also said that it is unprecedented that how new airports are being built under the UDAN scheme connecting far-flung areas.

 

Delivering the customary address to the nation on the occasion of Independence Day from Red Fort in the national capital, PM Modi said: "In 75 weeks of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, 75 Vande Bharat trains will connect different parts of the country. Today the speed at which new airports are being built in the country, UDAN scheme connecting far-flung areas is also unprecedented."

 

"From new waterways to connecting new places through seaplanes, work is undergoing at rapid speed. Indian Railways, too, is undergoing a change to modernize itself," he said. Read on...

10:57 AM

Gandhian ideals the "greatest weapon" to give direction to the country, says Stalin

Gandhian ideals are the "greatest weapon" to give direction to the country which is facing challenges related to caste, religion and creed and this should be instilled in the minds of the youth, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Sunday.

 

In his address after unfurling the Indian tricolour here on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day, the chief minister also announced hiking pension and family pension being given to the freedom fighters from the state.

 

"Lets take a vow to instil in the youths' mind that Gandhian ideals are the greatest weapon to lead India which is facing challenges related to caste, religion and creed," he said.

 

Mahatma Gandhi had a "deep relationship" with Tamil Nadu and it was during one such visit to the state that he decided to opt for simpler outfit.

 

"Mahatma Gandhi had visited Tamil Nadu 20 times in his lifetime. When he came to Madurai 100 years ago, Tamil Nadu gave him a farewell..." when he had decided to go for simpler outfit, he said.

10:52 AM

Hand-holding of deprived communities necessary: PM Modi on reservation

Reservation is being ensured for Dalits, STs, backward classes and the poor in the general category, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in his Independence Day address and stressed that hand-holding of deprived communities is necessary.

 

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 75th Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi said it is being ensured that no one is left behind in India's journey of development.

 

"Hand holding has to be done of those sections and regions that are deprived and are behind. Reservation is being ensured for Dalits, STs, backwards and general category poor," the prime minister said.

 

"We are ensuring that no one gets left behind in India's journey of development," he said.

 

He said that medical courses in India will now have a reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) under the All India Quota Scheme.

 

"A law has been passed in Parliament to give states' the power to make their own OBC lists," he added.

10:48 AM

Google CEO Sundar Pichai celebrates I-Day with Doodle depicting Indian dance forms

As India celebrated its 75th Independence Day on Sunday, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai took to Twitter, thanking Kolkata-born artist Sayan Mukherjee for a beautiful Doodle that illustrated diverse forms of traditional dance performances.

 

"Happy 75th Independence Day, India! Wishing everyone a safe and happy celebration:) Many thanks to our guest artist Sayan Mukherjee for this year's beautiful Doodle," Pichai posted.

10:24 AM

PM announces Rs 100 trillion Gatishakti scheme for holistic infra growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced a Rs 100 trillion Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti initiative which will create employment opportunities for the country's youth and help in a holistic infrastructure growth.

 

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort here on the 75th Independence Day, Modi said along with modernisation, India also needs to adopt a holistic approach in infrastructure building.

 

The Prime Minister said that the Gatishakti-National Master Plan will be announced in the coming days.

10:14 AM

Political will required to bring in big changes, reforms, says PM Modi

Asserting that there is no dearth of political will to bring reforms in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for a review of rules and procedures across the country so that every process that creates a hindrance for people is removed.

 

India is writing a new chapter in governance, he said while addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 75th Independence Day.

 

PM Modi said good and smart governance is required for implementing reforms in the country.

 

"Political will is required to bring in big changes and big reforms. The world now knows that there is no lack of political will in India for reforms," he said.

 

"Today the world is also a witness to how India is writing a new chapter of governance," he said.

 

Modi said a campaign should be launched in all departments and government offices in both central and state governments to review rules and procedures.

10:10 AM

Independence Day 2021: Google doodle celebrates India’s unity in diversity through various dance forms

Google on Sunday dedicated a Doodle to mark India’s 75th Independence Day inspired by country’s cultural traditions forged in centuries of historical progress. The Doodle has been illustrated by Kolkata -based artist Sayan Mukherjee. In an accompanying page Google wrote: “At the stroke of midnight on this day in 1947, India’s decades-long movement for independence culminated as the nation became a sovereign republic.”

10:03 AM

India fighting challenges of terrorism, expansionism: PM Modi in I-Day address

India is fighting the challenges of terrorism and expansionism and is dealing with them with great courage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in his Independence Day address to the nation.

 

In these Covid times, the country is receiving its highest foreign investment and its forex reserves are at an all-time high, the prime minister said.

 

"As we celebrate 75 years of Independence, we have to ensure India becomes self-reliant in energy production," Modi told the nation from the Red Fort.

 

He announced the setting up of a National Hydrogen Mission to make India the new global hub of green hydrogen and its largest exporter. Read on...

9:49 AM

Independence Day LIVE: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray hoists the National Flag

9:47 AM

Independence Day 2021 LIVE: Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb hoists the national flag

9:36 AM

India needs govt that doesn't interfere: Modi in Independence Day speech

The central government and states must scrap outdated laws that interfere with people’s lives and make doing business in the country difficult, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, using his customary Independence Day speech to call for reforms in governance.

 

“Our priority will be to ensure that the services reach the last person seamlessly. For the all-round development of the nation, it is essential to end the unnecessary interference of government and government procedures in the lives of people,” he said as he outlined his government’s plans. Read on...

9:26 AM

Independence Day 2021: PM Modi sets 2047 target for becoming 'energy independent'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday set a target of becoming 'energy independent' by 2047 through a mix of electric mobility, gas-based economy, doping ethanol in petrol and making the country a hub for hydrogen production.

 

Delivering his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, he said India spends over Rs 12 trillion on energy imports every year.

 

"For India to progress, for Atmanirbhar Bharat, energy independence is the call of the hour," he said. "India has to take a pledge that it will be energy independent by the year we celebrate 100th year of Independence." Read on...

9:18 AM

INS Ranvijay & INS Kora mark the commencement of the celebrations of 75th Independence Day

9:16 AM

Independence Day 2021: PM Modi greets the Indian contingent that participated in Tokyo Olympics and NCC cadets

9:04 AM

Independence Day LIVE: PM Modi concludes I-Day speech

Independence Day LIVE: PM Modi concludes I-Day speech.

9:03 AM

Independence Day Speech LIVE: PM Modi says sports must be encouraged

There was a time when sports wasn't considered a part of the mainstream. Parents used to tell children that they would spoil their life if they kept playing. Now, awareness regarding sports & fitness has come within the country. We have experienced this in Olympics this time: PM Modi

9:03 AM

New Education Policy a means to fight poverty, says PM Modi

The New Education Policy is a means to fight poverty and to meet the needs of the 21st century, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.

 

He said the new policy focuses on encouraging teaching in regional languages.

 

"I consider the new National Education Policy a means to fight against poverty. Today, the country has a new 'National Education Policy' to meet the needs of the 21st century," the prime minister said during his Independence Day speech.

 

He said the NEP has a special feature under which sports have been made a part of mainstream education instead of extracurricular.

9:02 AM

Surgical strikes showed India's resolve: PM Modi

Talking about terrorism, PM Modi said: "India is fighting against terrorism. Surgical strikes showed our resolve and sent a message to our enemies."

8:57 AM

Independence Day Speech LIVE: Govt to develop e-commerce platform for Women Self Help Group, says PM Modi

An e-commerce platform for products from Women Self help groups will be developed, PM Modi said on Independence Day.

 

“Today, when India is walking with the mantra of 'Vocal for Local', this platform will take these products to both domestic and global markets," the PM added.

 

8:55 AM

Under the Jan Ausadhi Yojana, the poor and needy are now getting affordable medicines: PM Modi

Under the Jan Ausadhi Yojana, the poor and needy are now getting affordable medicines. Over 75,000 Health & Wellness Centres have been built and we are working on a network of hospitals at the block level: Narendra Modi in Independence Day speech.