Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Red Fort on Saturday morning to mark the celebrations on 69th Independence Day.
The programme for the morning ended with a large group of children (who were participating in the function) singing the national.
He even touched upon the issue of 'One Rank One Pension'. He said, "I assure the servicemen and I am saying it under the Tricolour from the Red Fort- we have accepted OROP. Some talks are still on.The way the talks are going on I am expecting
The Prime Minister said,"We are looking at systems for enabling start-ups. We must be number 1 in start-ups. 'Start-up India' & 'Stand up India'."
He also said, "We need to increase agricultural productivity and we are working in that direction. India cannot develop till the eastern part of India develops."
Although a few members of his government have come under the scanner over the past few months, he brushed those allegations off completely saying,"It has been 15 months now since we formed government, no accusation of corruption of even Re 1."
"Some people are worried about tough law on black money; it has ensured that nobody dares to take black money out of the country. Rs 6,500 crores disclosed under compliance window of black money & foreign assets law," he said.
He even brought back the topic of 'corruption' and said, "Corruption has to be removed fully from the system."
"Dignity of labour has to be our national duty, it has to be a part of our nature. We introduced Shrameva Jayate Yojana. It is an effort to change the way we look at the workers of India," he said.
The PM thanked the people involved in his government's initiative saying, "People from all walks of life, spiritual leaders, media friends, celebrities, everyone has worked to create awareness."
He even touched upon a few topics from his last speech (his first speech as PM in 2014). He said, "Last time from the Red Fort I spoke about toilets and cleanliness. People wondered what kind of PM is he, talking about these issues. If there is
"We have focussed on social security. We have emphasised on a new work culture," the Prime Minister said.
"When the branch of a bank is built somewhere, people rejoice. But this is still easy. Getting people to those banks takes effort," he said.
He spoke about his rural banking programmes saying, "The doors of the banks were not open for the poor. We decided this must end. We wanted to strengthen financial inclusion."
He touched up the issue of poverty in the county saying, "Nobody wants to remain poor. Those who are poor want to move away from poverty. That is why, all our programmes must be for the poor."
He went on to say, "Be it casteism or communalism there is no place for them. In no way can they be tolerated. This is Team India, a team of 125 crore Indians. This is the Team that makes the Nation and takes our Nation to new heights."
"There is simplicity in every Indian and there is unity in every corner of India. This is the strength of India. If the unity of India is destroyed then the dreams of the people are also destroyed," he said.
He paid tribute to all those great people who laid down their lives for India, during India's freedom struggle.
He paid tribute to all those great people who laid down their lives for India, during India's freedom struggle.
The PM started off his speech saying, "My dear people of India, on this occasion my greetings to all of you.This is no ordinary morning. This is a morning of hope of the dreams and aspirations of 125 crore Indians."
The Prime Minister then went on to addresses the nation for the second time in his five-year term.
After the Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag at Red Fort, the national anthem was played by the band.
The ceremony went on with the PM hoisting the tricoloured national flag.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage at Rajghat before heading over to Red Fort, where he inspected the guard of honour.
Pictures from India's 69th Independence Day celebrations