Independence Day 2023 at Red Fort live updates | PM says peace ...

Assam government aims to completely “withdraw” the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the State, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday.

Indian Naval Ship Kulish, a guided missile Corvette which is on a four-day visit to Singapore to take part in a multilateral exercise joined the celebration of the 77th Independence Day here on Tuesday.

The officers and crew of the ship participated in the 77th Independence Day celebrations at the High Commission of India in Singapore, the Commanding Officer Ashish Delsaria presented a memento to the Acting High Commissioner Pooja Madan Tulli, to commemorate the ship’s visit to the Lion City. -PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the swift roll out of 5G technology in the country and said India is now getting ready for 6G and a task force has been set-up for the same.

“My country is the fastest country to roll out 5G. We have reached more than 700 districts and now we are getting ready for 6G. We have formed a task force,” Mr. Modi said from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

As the country celebrated Independence Day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said “Bharat Mata” is the voice of every single Indian, no matter how weak or strong.

In his message on Independence Day, he talked about his 145-day Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and shared his experience on how the people during his journey touched him all along. -PTI

With the venues for the Independence Day functions wearing festive looks across Jammu & Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on August 15 said the Union Territory (UT) was being recognised for its peaceful atmosphere and the change brought four years ago, while referring to reading down of Article 370 in 2019.

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Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on August 15 announced a plan to expand the Supreme Court with 27 additional courts and 51 judges’ chambers.

Currently, the Supreme Court has 16 courtrooms and two registrar courts. Its judicial strength is 32.

In his address at the 76th Independence Day celebrations at the Supreme Court lawns, Chief Justice Chandrachud said an “overhaul” of the court infrastructure was necessary on a priority basis to make courts more accessible and inclusive. The top judge said the emphasis of the new project would be on modernising the judicial infrastructure.

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Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday said an early solution to the Naga political issue has always been at the top of his government’s agenda.

Nagaland on Tuesday celebrated the 77th Independence Day with a call for all Naga political groups, other stakeholders and the Centre, to exhibit a greater sense of urgency for bringing consensus on the unresolved Naga issue.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday said the State government will adopt investment-friendly policies to attract investors and set up an authority to revive dying rivers and water bodies.

Making the announcements after unfurling the national flag at the Parade Ground here on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day, Mr. Dhami said an investor’s interest in investing in a particular state depends directly on its policies. -PTI

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Jaipur: Artists perform during the 77th Independence Day function at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (PTI Photo)(PTI08_15_2023_000284B)

NEW DELHI, 15/08/2023:An Indian Air Force helicopter showers flower petals after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the National flag from Rampart of the Red Fort during the celebrations of 77th Independence Day, in Delhi on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Photo: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR / The Hindu

**EDS: SCREENSHOT VIA PTI VIDEO** New Delhi: New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice DY Chandrachud addresses lawyers on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (PTI Photo)(PTI08_15_2023_000287B)

Srinagar,15/8/2023:Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inspects a guard of honour during a ceremony to celebrate 77th Independence Day in Srinagar on August 15, 2023. Photo:NISSAR AHMAD/The Hindu.

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Delhi High Court Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma on Tuesday said that technology is going to be an integral part in determining the future of justice as he inaugurated three IT projects, including web accessibility compliant cause list which would be accessible to specially-abled persons.

The Chief justice said the Delhi High Court has entered into an advanced stage of using technology for improving the justice delivery system. -PTI

India’s Ambassador to Israel Sanjeev Singla highlighted the deepening bilateral ties as he hoisted the tricolour here to celebrate India’s 77th Independence Day on Tuesday.

Over three hundred Indians including people from the Indian Jewish community, Indian students and NRIs turned up from across Israel to take part in the Independence Day celebration despite it being a working day. -PTI

Indians across the world on Tuesday enthusiastically celebrated India’s 77th Independence Day by gathering at the diplomatic missions where they exchanged greetings and sang the national anthem and patriotic songs.

In Washington, as the Biden administration joined Indian Americans in celebrating India’s 77th Independence Day, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the bilateral relationship between the United States and India is deeper and more expansive than ever.

In Beijing, the Indian diaspora and officials of the Indian embassy jointly celebrated Independence Day. -PTI

Leaders of various countries on Tuesday greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the country’s 77th Independence Day.

Mr. Modi thanked leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Bhutanese PM Lotay Tsherin for their greetings.

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Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad on Tuesday asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi got to unfurl the tricolour at the Red Fort in Delhi for the last time.

Mr. Prasad was talking to reporters after celebrating Independence Day at the residence of his wife Rabri Devi here, which was marked by the two former Bihar chief ministers unfurling the national flag. -PTI

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Tuesday said his government has done its best to fulfil the various promises the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has made four years ago to the people of the Himalayan state.

Tamang said this after hoisting the National Flag at the 77th Independence Day functions held at Paljor stadium here.

“We have effectively implemented the welfare schemes for the poor people, women and other sections of the society along with carrying out development works”, he said. -PTI

The Congress on Tuesday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech as a “crass election speech filled with distortions, lies, exaggerations and vague promises”.

The opposition party said instead of bringing the country together on Independence Day, he made it all about himself and his image and not accepting the challenges ahead and celebrating the country’s journey so far. -PTI

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday appealed to people to take the pledge to turn the ‘Amrit Kaal’ into ‘Kartavya Kaal’ and make India self-reliant and a developed country by 2047.

On the occasion of the 77th Independence Day, Patel hoisted the national flag at a state-level event in Valsad district of south Gujarat. -PTI

Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on Tuesday celebrated Independence Day in this remote area close to Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

The national flag was unfurled by the commanding officer of the battalion as the jawans raised patriotic slogans to mark the 77th Independence Day of the country. -PTI

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy led the Union Territory of Puducherry to celebrate the 76th Independence Day here on Tuesday.

He inspected a guard of honour presented by the Puducherry police after unfurling the flag. He took salute at the march past presented by contingents of police, ex-servicemen, fire service personnel and school students.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday called upon the citizens to cooperate and support the State government’s endeavour for inclusive growth of all sections of the society.

Mr. Patnaik said this while addressing the people after hoisting the National Flag at the 77th Independence Day celebrations at the Exhibition Ground here. -PTI

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday announced the ‘Mukhyamantri Jan Awas Yojana’ for the poor people left out of other government housing schemes, to ensure housing for all in the State. -PTI

NEW DELHI, 15/08/2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with NCC cadets after his speech from Rampart of the Red Fort during the celebrations of 77th Independence Day, in Delhi on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Photo: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR / The Hindu

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Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday stressed the importance of good law and order situation to take forward the economic and social activities in the State.

Addressing the 77th Independence Day celebrations after hoisting the national flag at the Polo ground here he said that three formal peace talks between the HNLC, Government of India and the state government are making steady progress.

In an incident of security lapse, a man, sharing the name of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, tried to enter a high-security area with a poster in his hand during the state-level Independence Day function at the historic Gandhi Maidan here.

The man, identified as 26-year-old Nitish Kumar, was demanding a government job on compassionate grounds as his father, a Bihar Military Police (BMP) personnel, had died on duty a few years ago. -PTI

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said India attained independence to enlighten the world.

Addressing people after hoisting the tricolour on the occasion of 77th Independence Day organised by Samartha Bharat at Vasavi Convention Hall in Basavanagudi, Bhagwat emphasised upon understanding the national flag.

Punjab, Haryana and their joint capital Chandigarh on Tuesday celebrated the 77th Independence Day, amid tight security arrangements.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hoisted the national flag at a state-level function in Patiala while his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar unfurled the tricolour in Fatehabad.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday said though the 75-year-old independent India’s progress was laudable, the desired goals are yet to be reached.

Though there are abundant natural resources, and hardworking people available in the country, ideal utilization of resources was not taking place due to inefficiency of the rulers and ideological bankruptcy, he said in his Independence Day speech after hoisting the national flag at the historic Golconda Fort. -PTI

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said as the nation celebrates its 77th Independence Day instances of caste and ethnic divisions have cast a shadow over the republic and injured its secular nature.

Mr. Vijayan contended, in a Facebook post, that even federal values have been subverted.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the five guarantee schemes of his government were introduced to follow the principle of social justice in the accumulation of wealth and its distribution.

Addressing people on the occasion of 77th Independence Day from the Sam Manekshaw Parade Ground, Mr. Siddaramaiah pointed out that the people of Karnataka realised that development can be possible only if there is peace in the society. -PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi said, “Today is an opportunity for happiness, but in a corner of the mind there is sorrow. In some parts of the country, one brother is fighting with another brother. Manipur is burning. In Manipur, people of one community are fighting with people of the other community and killing each other. Who is benefitting from this? People of both the communities are being affected.

In Haryana, two communities are fighting with each other. Who is benefitting from this?

If we fight among ourselves, then how will India become ‘Vishwa Guru’?”

In the past few years, in our country, some selected billionaires’ ₹12 lakh crore debts were waived off.

Our country will have to make a decision today: Should the government work for some selected billionaires or for the 140 crore people?, Mr. Kejriwal added.

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Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday called upon the people of the border State to write the next chapter of the state’s glorious story with wisdom, compassion and courage so that future generations will read it with pride.

Hoisting the national tri-colour on the occasion of 77th Independence Day at Indira Gandhi Park here, Mr. Khandu urged the people to write a story of an Arunachal that rose to its destiny, not by chance but by choice. -PTI

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday said the true meaning of gram swaraj was demonstrated by his government through its initiatives, welfare schemes and changes in the past four years.

In his Independence Day address, the CM said that the state government has implemented programmes in the past four years which was seldom done by any other government in the 76-year history of independent India.

Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed the rise of a new era in the last four years which promises harmony, development and affluence, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, the advisor to the Lieutenant Governor said on Tuesday.

Mr. Bhatnagar, who hoisted the tricolour at the main Independence Day function here, said Jammu and Kashmir has undertaken a journey towards peace, progress, and prosperity in the last four years. -PTI

Calling India a “fastest-growing major economy,” Singapore High Commissioner Simon Wong on Tuesday wished “dearest friends” on the 77th Independence Day. On the social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), Mr. Wong said, “Happy 77th #IndependenceDay to our dearest friends! Frm ’s largest democracy, to fastest growing major econ, tech epicentre & more - has much to celebrate & aspire towards. is proud to be steadfast partner & look fwd to scaling greater heights tgt!”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday called for rising above divisions, casting aside differences, for a better and brighter INDIA.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Trinamool Congress supremo laid stress on the word INDIA, the name of the opposition bloc forged to take on the BJP in next year’s Lok Sabha elections. “The chapters of our history are written in courage and resilience. As we hoist the tricolour, let’s remember the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and pledge to uphold the values they fought for,” she said.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said some anti-social elements were trying to create communal hatred, but such things will not be allowed in the coastal state.

Addressing a State-level function in Panaji to celebrate Independence Day, Mr. Sawant appealed to all communities to remain united, as they have done in the past, and foil any attempt to create communal divide in Goa. -PTI

Politics has become a profession of power and money, and ceased to be a service, former Solicitor General of India Justice N. Santosh Hegde rued on the country’s independence day.

Speaking to PTI here, the retired Judge of the Supreme Court also said there should be an all-out effort to inculcate two social values -- contentment and humanism -- so that there could be solidarity and peace in the society. -PTI

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday pledged to uphold democracy and the Constitution which he alleged were in danger.

On Independence Day, he saluted the sacrifices of innumerable Indians who gave up their lives during the freedom struggle and said they not only made a contribution to the national movement but also laid a strong foundation for India.

Mr. Kharge skipped the Independence Day function at the Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation. -PTI

As the country celebrates its 77th Independence Day, Google on Tuesday marked the day with a special doodle illustrating textile from 21 different regions.

For the doodle, New Delhi-based guest artist Namrata Kuma researched and identified the diverse textile craft forms present in India. “I sought to cover a broad spectrum of techniques, encompassing embroidery, different weaving styles, printing techniques... I wanted to ensure that I represented different geographical regions of the country in a balanced manner,” she told Google in a blogpost.

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Tuesday called for transferring the subject ‘Education‘ back to the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution saying only this would help abolish centralised examinations such as the NEET.

Education, originally a state subject, was moved to the Concurrent List by the Indira Gandhi government during the Emergency.

Hoisting the national flag at Fort St. George, Chennai, on Independence Day, Mr. Stalin said the Tamil Nadu government would constitute a welfare board to benefit workers attached to service providers such as Ola, Uber, Swiggy, and Zomato, among others.

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105 mm Light Field Guns firing as part of the ceremonial salute today. This is the first time that these indigenous guns have been used for ceremonial firing at the Independence Day celebrations.

Balloons in the colours of the Tiranga released, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi.

PM Narendra Modi says, “In 2019, on the basis of performance, you blessed me once again...The next five years are for unprecedented development. The biggest golden moment to realise the dream of 2047 is the coming five years. The next time, on 15th August, from this Red Fort I will present before you the achievements and developments of the country...”

ANI

Corruption has badly affected India’s capability; it is Modi’s life-long commitment to keep fighting against corruption: PM Modi.

PTI

I am confident that in 2047 when India marks 100 years of its independence, it will be a developed nation: PM Modi at Red Fort.

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PM Modi decries corruption, nepotism and appeasement as three sins, calls for getting rid of them.

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The Country has emerged as a friend of the world and India is laying strong foundation of ‘vishva mangal’ (global welfare), the PM said.

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It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure there is no atrocity against our daughters: PM Modi said. “India is mother of democracy, it is model of diversity; We have to move forward taking into account the many diversities.

Talking about women led development, he said, “G20 is acknowledging India’s approach of women-led development.”

In next 25 years we have to move forward with message of unity, there would be efforts to strengthen country’s unity, he added.

PTI

“The one thing that will take the country forward is women-led development. Today, we can proudly say that India has the maximum number of pilots in civil aviation. Women scientists are leading the Chandrayaan mission. The G20 countries are also recognising the importance of women-led development...”

ANI

“India feeling sense of security now. Serial bomb blasts thing of past; terror attacks, incidents in Naxalism-hit areas curbed,” the Prime Minister said.

PTI

Govt to work to increase number of ‘Jan Aushadhi Kendra’ (subsidised medicine shops) from 10,000 to 25,000: PM Modi.

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It is ‘Modi’s guarantee’ that India will become 3rd largest global economy in next 5 years: Prime Minister in his Independence Day address.

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As we import goods from across the world, we also import Inflation. However we have ensured that there is minimal affect of inflation on people.

‘Nation First’ is the bedrock of our policies; people formed such government in 2014 and 2019 that gave me strength to pull off reforms: PM Modi says.

PTI

As new world order emerged after World War, I can see a new world order taking shape after COVID-19, he said. “After Covid pandemic holistic healthcare is need of hour; Yoga, Ayush are being acknowledged globally,” PM Modi added.

PTI

There is no dearth for opportunities in our country. The country has the ability to provide endless opportunities, he said.

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PM Modi said, “This time, natural calamity has created unimaginable crises in several parts of the country. I express my sympathies to all families who faced this.”

During the Independence Day speech, PM Modi talked about the Manipur violence. He said that slowly peace is restoring in the State. The Centre and State Government will continue to work to restore peace, he added.

IAF helicopter showers flower petals after flag hoisting by PM Modi at Red Fort.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday extended his wish on the 77th Independence Day to the people of the country and called Bharat Mata as the voice of every Indian.

Taking to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the Congress leader said, “Bharat Mata is the voice of every Indian! Happy Independence Day to all the countrymen.”

The Congress leader also shared his experience of ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ and said that he started the hundred and forty-five days walk at the edge of the sea and reached the soft snow of Kashmir.

ANI

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has extended wishes to the people of India on its 77th Independence Day. He stated that India and US have a “strong bond” as the two nations work together for a world that is open, prosperous, secure, stable and resilient.

“On behalf of the United States of America, we send our warmest wishes to the people of India as they commemorate 76 years of independence this August 15. On this momentous day, we reflect on the depth and breadth of our strategic partnership, and we celebrate the proud history of the Indian people, who are the key to the bright future we are building together,” Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Antony Blinken noted that the relationship between India and US has grown “deeper” and it has become “more expansive than ever.” He said that the US stands with India in the shared commitment to tackle the most pressing challenges to ensure the peace and prosperity of people.

ANI

Watch PM pay his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

PM Modi at his official residence before leaving for Rajghat in Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted people on the country’s 77th Independence Day and paid homage to freedom fighters while reaffirming the commitment to fulfilling their vision.

Modi will deliver his 10th consecutive Independence Day address on Tuesday at the historic Red Fort here.

“Best wishes on Independence Day. We pay homage to our great freedom fighters and reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling their vision. Jai Hind!” the prime minister said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

PTI

In view of the 77th Independence Day, state-level celebrations will be held in front of Old Secretariat, Panaji, Goa on August 15, wherein the Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant will hoist the National tricolour and address the people.

The flag hoisting ceremony on Independence Day will also be held at various Taluka Headquarters at 09.15 am. Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, at Mapusa; MLA, Chandrakant Shetye, at Bicholim; Ravi Naik, Minister for Agriculture at Ponda; Ramkrishna Dhavalikar at Canacona; Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Transport at Vasco; Nilesh Cabral, Minister for Legislative Affairs at Margao; Nilkanth Halarnkar, Minister for Fisheries at Pernem; DeviyaRane, MLA, at Valpoi; Subhash Shirodkar, Minister for Water Resources at Quepem; Govind Gaude, Minister for Sports at Dharbandora and Subhash PhalDessai, Minister for Social Welfare at Sanguem will hoist the national flag.

Chief Minister Sawant along with freedom fighters and other dignitaries would also lay wreaths at the Martyrs Memorial, Patradevi, Pernem.

ANI

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju hoists the national flag at his residence in Delhi.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hoists the national flag at his residence in Delhi.

Prime minister Narendra Modi extended his Independence Day greetings to people on X (Formerly Twitter)He said: Best wishes on Independence Day. We pay homage to our great freedom fighters and reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling their vision. Jai Hind!

Around 1,800 people from different vocations, with their spouses, have been invited from across the country to be a part of the celebrations at Red Fort as special guests. The initiative has been taken in line with the government’s vision of ‘Jan Bhagidari’.

ANI

The Government of India will be awarding gallantry medals to three Delhi Fire Service personnel on the occasion of 77th Independence Day for their distinguished services.

“On the occasion of Independence Day, 2023, 53 personnel have been awarded Fire Service Medals. Out of these, President’s Fire Service Medal for Gallantry is awarded to 03 personnel and Fire Service Medal for Gallantry is awarded to 01 personnel for their respective acts of valour and gallantry,” read the Ministry of Home Affairs press release.

President’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded to 8 personnel and Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service is awarded to 41 personnel for their respective distinguished and meritorious records of services.

ANI

Multi-layer security is in place across Delhi on Tuesday, with more than 10,000 personnel manning the area in and around the historic Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on its 77th Independence Day, police said.

Around 1,000 cameras with facial recognition and video analytic systems have been installed in and around the Mughal-era fort and at other strategic locations to ensure security and monitor VVIP movements, they said.

Traffic has also been restricted near the Red Fort till the end of the celebrations.

PTI

Jubilant Kashmiris holding the National Flag and the tricolour flying high at the iconic Ghanta Ghar in the heart of Srinagar’s Lal Chowk today have disproved the statement made in 2019 by Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, that if article 370 is tinkered with, there would be no one left in Kashmir to hold the tricolour in their hands.

Upbeat Kashmiris have now decided to carry forward the vision of Prime Minister Modi to make India a developed Nation by 2047. Four years after 2019, Jammu and Kashmir is decked up to celebrate the 77th Independence Day.

ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, saying it was very inspiring and presented a vision for all-round progress in the times to come.

“A very inspiring address by Rashtrapati Ji, outlining India’s developmental strides and presenting a vision for all-round progress in the times to come,” Modi said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

In her address to the nation on the eve of the 77th Independence Day, President Murmu on Monday said that despite having diverse identities, all Indians are equal citizens with equal opportunities, rights and duties, and urged the people to move forward with the spirit of harmony and brotherhood.

She stressed that their identity as “citizens of India” is above all other identities of caste, creed, language and region.

The Indian High Commission in London commemorated Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on Monday with a special photographic exhibition and musical and poetic tributes to the sacrifices and resilience shown by people during India’s Partition in August 1947.

The solemn gathering of community leaders and Indian diaspora members recounted some of the painful memories of the past and observed a minute’s silence to commemorate the day of remembrance, a day before the 77th Independence Day celebrations.

“Our joy and our celebration in independence were always a somewhat mixed one because that independence came at a very heavy human price,” said Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami in his address to the gathering.

“It came at the price of what people of that generation could not expect, and indeed could not believe, that it would be possible that independence would happen with a division of our own homes, and that villages, towns in both the east and the west of India would celebrate freedom as refugees; as people displaced for no fault of their own except for the fact that they had miraculously become citizens on the wrong side of the border. That is a very unique and tragic story of one of the largest displacements in human history,” he said.

The High Commissioner said the mission’s Remembrance Day was conceived as a memorial exercise to reflect upon the poignant history of this mass displacement and learn some lessons with “one moment of pause” before we celebrate India’s independence.

A violin recital of ‘Vande Mataram’ and poetry renditions by British Indian filmmaker Lalit Mohan Joshi from the works of pre-Partition author Dr Gautam Sachdev was followed by some uplifting ghazal recitals by Dr Hilal Fareed of the Royal College of Surgeons.

The gathering included diaspora members now in their 90s, who were teenagers at the time of Partition, including Shakuntala Kaushal and Brij Mohan Gupta.

The memorial event, held in the Gandhi Hall of India House, concluded with the Indian National Anthem before moving to the Nehru Hall for a tour of the photographic exhibition tracing the history of the Partition.

Ahead of the 77th Independence Day, As many as 954 police personnel from across the country have been awarded Police Medals.

The President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) has been awarded to one member of the CRPF personnel, Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) has been awarded to 229 personnel, the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPM) has been awarded to 82 and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PM) to 642 officers.

For majority of the 230 Gallantry Awards, 125 officers were selected from Left Wing Extremism–affected areas; 71 from the Jammu and Kashmir region and 11 from the North East region for their service and gallant action. Among the personnel receiving Gallantry Awards, 28 are from the CRPF; 33 from Maharashtra, 55 are from Jammu and Kashmir police, 24 from Chhattisgarh, 22 are from Telangana and 18 from Andhra Pradesh and remaining from other States and Union Territories and CAPFs.

The PPMG and PMG was awarded for conspicuous gallantry in saving life and property or in preventing crime or arresting criminals. The PPM was awarded for a special distinguished record in police service, and the police medal for meritorious service was awarded for service characterised by resource and devotion to duty.

Twenty-one police officers from Tamil Nadu have been selected for medals announced by the Centre on the occasion of Independence Day.

According to a press release from the Director-General of Police’s office, two officers had been awarded the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. They are: A. Amalraj, Additional Director-General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Tambaram, and K. Bhavaneeswari, Inspector-General of Police, West Zone, Coimbatore.

Nineteen officers have been awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Services. They are: S. Aravind, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Section-I, Greater Chennai Police (GCP); N. Stephen Jesubatham, Superintendent of Police, Dharmapuri; P. Thangadurai, SP, Ramanathapuram; S. Anantharaman, ACP, City Crime Branch, GCP; N. Balasubramanian, DSP, Anti-Land Grabbing Special Cell, Kallakurichi; H. Krishnamoorthy, DSP, Special Branch CID, Chennai; T. Mathiyazhagan, ASP, Headquarters, Perambalur; J. Raju, DSP, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Thanjavur; S. Sankaralingam, ACP, Intelligence Section, GCP; E. Elangovan Jennings, Inspector of Police, Crime Branch CID, Organised Crime Unit, Tiruchi City; M. Ravindran, Inspector, Special Intelligence Unit, CID, Tirunelveli; A. Siva Ananth, Inspector, Maduravoyal Police Station; T. Thirumalai Kolunthu, Inspector, Tamil Nadu Police Academy; S. Muthumalai, Inspector, Special Branch, Tiruppur; M. Pugalmaran, Inspector, Intelligence Section, Coimbatore City; R. Kamalakannan, Inspector, G-5 Secretariat Colony Police Station, GCP; T. Mariappan, sub-inspector, Special Branch CID, Chennai; ; S. Thanabalan, sub-inspector, Tamil Nadu Commando Force, Chennai; and S. Shanbagavalli, sub-inspector, Special Branch CID, Chennai.

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer is the lone recipient of the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) announced on the eve of Independence Day on Monday.

The PPMG was announced for Assistant Commandant Loukrakpam Ibomcha Singh, from Manipur. The PPMG is awarded for conspicuous gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals.

This is Mr. Singh’s second PPMG. He has also won six Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG).

Mr. Singh was awarded the PPMG for an operation in June 2020 in the Kashmir Valley when he killed an alleged terrorist in a “daring room intervention”.

A total of 954 police personnel have been awarded police medals. The PMG has been awarded to 229 personnel, the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPM) to 82 personnel and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PM) to 642 personnel.

Of the 230 gallantry awards announced on Monday, 125 are for personnel deployed in the Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, 71 from the Jammu and Kashmir region, and 11 from the northeast region.

Among the gallantry award recipients, 28 are from the CRPF, 33 from the Maharashtra Police, 55 from the J&K Police, 24 from the Chhattisgarh Police, 22 from the Telangana Police and 18 from the Andhra Pradesh Police. The remaining are from the other States and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

Four Border Security Force (BSF) personnel — sub-inspector Anurag Ranjan, head constable Abdul Hamid Rather, and constables Amarjeet Singh and Navjot Singh — were awarded the PMG for averting an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in November 2020. The gunfight at an altitude of 13,500 feet in Kupwara lasted more than four hours. A constable, Sudip Sarkar, was killed in the incident.

India has always been a peace-loving nation, but will not spare those with “ill intention or hostility”, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday, amid the lingering border row with China in eastern Ladakh and Pakistan’s support to cross-border terrorism.

On the eve of the 77th Independence Day, he also said the government is making all efforts to equip the armed forces with the latest weapons and training to meet future challenges.

“We not only seek peace but also express our commitment to peace through our actions. But at the same time, we are also very clear that if anyone dares to look at us with ill intention or hostility, our forces will give a befitting reply,” he said.

The defence minister made the remarks in a message to soldiers. The message was aired on All India Radio.

Highlighting the role of soldiers in maintaining India’s sovereignty, Singh said, the nation stands with its gallant soldiers who protect the borders by putting their lives at stake without bothering for their comforts and facilities.

“The armed forces can give their best only when they are provided with the best equipment and training. These steps boost the morale of the soldiers, help them overcome challenges and emerge victorious,” he said.

“Our government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is leaving no stone unturned to provide the military with world-class equipment and training, so that the country can overcome all future challenges,” he said.

Singh noted that new branches and trades are being created according to the new emerging needs.

The defence minister expressed the nation’s gratitude for the soldiers.

“On this occasion of 77th Independence Day, whether you are standing on the snowy peaks of Kargil where there is lack of oxygen..., whether you are in a submarine in the deep sea, whether you are standing in the hot desert of Thar, or whether you are standing in the middle of evergreen forests in the north-east of India, wherever you are, I want to say that you all reside in the hearts of 140 crore Indians,” he said.

The defence minister pointed out that the long-pending demand of the armed forces for the ‘One Rank One Pension’ scheme was fulfilled by the government as soon as it came to power in 2014.

“The scheme has been revised this year and an amount of Rs 8,413 crore has been paid to more than 17 lakh pensioners,” he said.

On the growing role of women in the armed forces, he said several concrete steps have been taken to make the military an equitable and a better working place for women.

“The Indian Army has inducted women officers into the artillery regiment for the first time this year. The commissioning of women officers in the artillery regiment is a great testimony to the steps being taken by our government towards gender equality in the Army,” Singh said.

“Our government has taken a historic step to get the talented daughters of the country admitted to Sainik Schools. Today, more than 1,600 girls are obtaining education in various Sainik Schools nationwide,” he said.

This would further increase the participation of brave daughters in the defence of the nation and they would achieve greater heights in the times to come,” he added.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on August 14 asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech this year will be his last as prime minister from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi.

Ms. Banerjee, while speaking at a pre-Independence Day programme organised by the TMC at Behala, also proclaimed that opposition bloc INDIA will soon take the field, adding “khela hobe (we will play)“.

‘Khela hobe’ was a slogan that the ruling TMC had coined during the 2021 assembly poll campaign.

“Modiji’s Independence Day speech on August 15 will be his last speech as prime minister from the ramparts of the Red Fort,” Ms. Banerjee said.

The chief minister also asserted that she believes that opposition bloc INDIA, of which the Trinamool Congres