Latest Updates on Independence Day 2024

First dawn - India's new hours of independence

Under a monsoon sky on Aug 15, 1947, Indians shared pure joy

Reforms for growth: Independence Day announcements can go a long way

Among biggest announcements was the formation of a task force for next-generation reforms, which would evaluate all laws, rules, and procedures related to economic activities in a time-bound manner

Kite-related disruptions on metro network fell sharply on I-Day: DMRC

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has reported a sharp decline in incidents of kite strings causing malfunction on its network on Independence Day and Janmashtami this year. The transporter attributed the decline to preventive measures and public cooperation. "Incidents of service disruptions caused by kite flying during August have reduced significantly over the years, particularly around Independence Day," it said in a statement. Kite flying during these festivals, especially when done with metal-coated thread, often leads to tripping of overhead wires and delays in train services. According to DMRC, the number of such incidents has steadily reduced over the past few years from 102 in 2021 to 90 in 2022, 33 in 2023, 23 in 2024 and 11 so far this year. To tackle the problem, DMRC said it put in place maintenance teams of five to seven members across all lines. These teams watch out for entangled kite strings, it said. In addition, insulation sleeves on catenary wires at

PM Modi praising RSS in Independence Day speech insults the day: Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "glorifying" the RSS in his Independence Day speech, saying it was "tantamount to insulting the day itself" and the freedom struggle. In a statement issued by his office, Vijayan said the PM's praise for the RSS was an attempt to "attribute fatherhood of the independence" to the right wing organisation which was banned after Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. Terming Modi's action as a "denial of history", the CM said such "ridiculous measures cannot whitewash" the RSS which has a "poisonous history" of divisive politics. "The Prime Minister's use of the Independence Day speech to glorify the RSS is tantamount to insulting the day itself," he said in the statement. Modi on Friday hailed 100 years of RSS as a "very proud and glorious" journey of the "world's biggest NGO" and lauded all its volunteers for their dedicated service to the nation. "Today I want to mention one thing with great pri

In a first, Indian tricolour hoisted atop Seattle's iconic Space Needle

The Indian tricolour was hoisted at Seattle's iconic 605-feet-tall Space Needle on India's 79th Independence Day, the first time that a foreign nation's flag was raised at the popular American destination. Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta along with Mayor of Seattle Bruce Harrell and other select dignitaries from the Seattle city leadership, joined the historic and landmark occasion. "No greater honour than this ! Raising the Tiranga on top of Seattle skyline at Space Needle," Gupta said in a post on X, along with a video of the tricolour flying high atop the iconic Seattle monument with sprawling views of the city below. Calling the commemoration a "historic first in Seattle", the Consulate General of India in Seattle said the celebration underscored the contributions of the Indian-American diaspora in shaping the city's journey as a tech hub in the US Pacific Northwest. Later, a community reception was hosted by the Consulate at the scenic Kerry Park, with India's

Independence Day 2025: PM Narendra Modi maps road to 'atmanirbharta'

Makes swadeshi push in face of US tariffs and announces next-gen reforms, deepwater energy hunt, defence shield project

Zelenskyy hopes India will contribute to efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said he hoped New Delhi would contribute to efforts aimed at ending the war with Russia, as he wished India on its Independence Day. Zelenskyy's post on X came hours ahead of a summit meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, aimed at ending the war, now in its fourth year. Congratulating the people of India, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Zelenskyy said, This week we had a good, candid conversation with Prime Minister @narendramodi when I had an opportunity to personally convey my best wishes on this occasion. Our nations share the experience of standing up for freedom and dignity, as well as the pursuit of peace and development, the Ukrainian president wrote. We hope that India will contribute to efforts aimed at ending the war, so that our freedom and sovereignty are truly secure, Zelenskyy said. I am confident that the potential for mutually ..

Youth getting first job in private sector to get ₹15,000 support: PM Modi

PM Modi unveils Viksit Bharat Rojgaar Yojana to aid first-time private sector employees and incentivise employers to generate jobs, aiming to benefit 35 million youth

News highlights: Centre proposes 5% and 18% rates under revamped GST regime, say sources

Catch all the new developments here as India celebrates its 79th Independence Day

Atmanirbharta, swadeshi echo in PM Modi's Independence Day speech

The RSS, which marks its centenary this year, has also for some decades flagged the dangers of demographic changes taking place in the country's border districts

Standing like a wall to protect interests of farmers: PM Narendra Modi

Modi stresses the need to produce fertilisers locally

PM Modi asks scientists to focus on R&D, secure patents for new drugs

PM says move will ensure self-reliance in the pharmaceuticals segment

Self sufficiency in critical minerals a work in progress, says PM Modi

Highlighting government efforts, PM Modi said the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM) has already been launched, with exploration work underway at more than 1,200 locations

First made-in-India chips to hit market by end of year, says PM Modi

PM Modi calls for India's self-reliance in technology, urging the youth to create homegrown platforms and innovations, highlighting India's progress in semiconductors, UPI, AI, and cybersecurity

PM unveils 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra'; pushes for Made-in-India jet engines

In his 12th Independence Day address, PM Modi said that Operation Sindoor demonstrated that strategic autonomy and indigenous capabilities are essential for decisively tackling threats

PM Modi outlines 11 yrs of progress, plan for a prosperous India: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation has given a broad outline of the progress made by the country in the last 11 years, the strength of the present and the strategy for a prosperous India. Shah also said that whether it is the elimination of terrorists through Operation Sindoor, the plan to secure the country's infrastructure through 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra', or the resolve to create an infiltrator-free India through the 'High-Powered Demography Mission', the Modi government is committed to making the nation strong and secure. Highlighting the government's unwavering commitment to the interests of farmers, PM Modi, in his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on 79th Independence Day, called for self-reliance in nuclear energy, critical minerals, energy, the space sector, and jet engines. "Moreover, the announcement of the 'Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana' and significant GST relief measure

Indian community marks 79th I-Day with vibrant celebrations in London

Hundreds of people of Indian heritage gathered at the High Commission of India in London on Friday to celebrate the country's 79th Independence Day, with music, dance and patriotic slogans. Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami opened the festivities by unfurling the Tricolour followed by the National Anthem echoing across the India House courtyard in Aldwych. He then read out excerpts from President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation overnight, as is customary at the annual diaspora gathering. Independence Day is an opportunity for, not just Indian citizens, but friends of India including among the diaspora to come and reconnect with India, Doraiswami told PTI. We had people here from all our communities, representing the colourful tapestry that is India from Kashmir to Kerala, from Punjab to the North East, we had all communities represented here and it's a great feeling because it's a chance for everybody to reconnect with the spirit that is India to salute t

Delhi CM Gupta meets children in the rain after maiden I-Day address

The rain at the Chhatrasal Stadium was relentless all morning on Friday, where Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta gave her maiden Independence Day speech; however, she took it in her stride, and post her address, met schoolchildren in the downpour, even waving away an umbrella offered by her security staff. Drenched but smiling, Gupta clicked photographs with the children and shook hands with parade participants and security personnel. "Everything is moving in the right direction with transparency and dedication. I have much more to share with you, but I can see the rain is getting heavier, and my young children are still seated bravely in it," she said. The chief minister also asked the crowd to applaud themselves and the parade participants for not taking cover during the event despite the heavy rain. The ceremony unfolded under heavy showers that tested the endurance of participants and spectators. A few members of the marching contingents lost consciousness after the parade and h

Bihar fighting for voting rights as India marks Independence Day: Tejashwi

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Friday said it was "ironical" that the people of Bihar were fighting to "protect" their right to vote when the country was celebrating Independence Day. Yadav, the leader of the opposition in the assembly, issued an evocative "open letter", urging the people to take part in the 'Matdata Adhikar (voters' right) Yatra', which will be launched by Rahul Gandhi on August 17. "Does Independence imply that we remain content with hoisting the tricolour at our homes and sway to the tunes of patriotic songs, oblivious to the fact that a dictatorial regime was throttling us? The cronies of the ruling dispensation have brought Bihar into a ridiculous situation," alleged the former deputy CM. Referring to the anomalies in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Yadav claimed "the names of those who are alive have been deleted from the voters' list in place of the deceased". "Just spare a thought for a living person who may have been declared dead despit

PM Modi's GST Diwali bonanza timely and strategic move, say experts

The announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding GST 2.0 is a timely and strategic move to build a resilient Indian economy, according to experts. From the ramparts of the historic Red Fort, Modi announced that the GST rates will be lowered by Diwali, bringing down prices of everyday use items, as his government looks to reform the eight-year-old tax regime that has been plagued by litigation and evasions. Later, the Finance Ministry said it has proposed that most goods and services be taxed in two slabs - standard and merit - and a select few items be charged special rates. This is to replace the current goods and services tax (GST) structure, where the sale of goods and rendering of services are taxed in four different brackets - 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent, with luxury and sin goods attracting a levy on top of the highest rate of 28 per cent. "The Prime Minister's vision for GST 2.0 is a timely and strategic move to build a resilient Indian economy. These are not merely .