Modi hails sages, ancient wisdom

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday expressed his respect for sages and saints in his first Independence Day address at the Red Fort.

"The country has come thus far because of generation to generation of rigours undertaken by our sages and saints," he said. "These great people ... deserve our deepest respect."

In his 75-minute address, he also referred to ancient cultural heritage and the Vedic period.

Later on, Modi said: "I strongly believe in the worlds of legends. I have great faith in the statements made by ascetics, sages and saints."

Modi spoke about Maharishi Aurobindo, whose birth anniversary falls Aug 15, as well as Swami Vivekananda.