Independence Day 2022 Live Updates: PM Modi says corruption, parivaarvaad India’s 2 big challenges

On the occasion of 76th Independence Day of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi,Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar along with his spouse Sudesh Dhankhar, and former President Ram Nath Kovind attended the 'At Home' reception hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday.

Times Square was filled with the fervour of India's Independence Day celebration when singer and music composer Shankar Mahadevan sang 'Ae Watan' at Times Square in New York. Tricolour will be hoisted shortly to mark the 76th Independence Day of India

To symbolise the strengthening ties between India and Madagascar, India donated 15,000 bicycles to Madagascar on its 76th Independence Day. India's Ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros, Abhay Kumar and Madagascar PM Christian Ntsay were seen riding bicycle on the occasion. Earlier in the day, tricolour was hoisted by the Ambassador at the Indian Embassy building in Madagascar.

Young students of a Madrasa carried out flag march to mark the 75th anniversary of India's Independence at Boileauganj in Shimla. Despite the rains, large number of students joined the Tiranga Yatra with Indian flag in their hands.

As a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration, tiranga was hoisted onboard INS Sumedha that has been docked at the port in Perth, Australia. The ceremony, held on Monday,was joined by several Australian Defence Forces veterans and officers.

On the 75th Independence Day, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana hoisted the Indian flag under the presence of Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and CJI-Designate Justice Uday Umesh Lalit in the Supreme Court on Monday.

Heavy rains could not dampen the spirit of Independence Day, as a dozen of martial arts students gathered at Lal Chowk, Srinagar to celebrate the 75th Independence day in their own way. The young martial artists were seen waving the national flag in their hand.  Some of them also performed different moves near the clock tower at Lal Chowk. Young girls of the MTC martial arts group also performed stunts as part of the group’s Independence Day celebration. In the morning, the Indian flag was unfurled atop the clock tower at Lal Chowk, and people from different parts of the country came to celebrate the day in Srinagar.

The Congress on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his Independence Day address, saying he has let the country down by not discussing the promises made by him in the last eight years and by not giving an account of his tenure. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also took a swipe at Modi over his remarks against nepotism, and said he was actually talking about internal politics of the BJP and attacking his own ministers whose sons are occupying high positions in the fields of cricket and politics despite not having expertise.

The Airports Authority of India celebrated 76th Independence Day with patriotic fervour and zeal and expressed its commitment to the growth of airport infrastructure in the country. The Chairman highlighted the future expansion plans of airport infrastructure and enhancement of air connectivity in the country. Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India said, "As a citizen, I am very proud of our achievement in 75 years. As a chairman of AAI, I feel very privileged and proud that we are contributing to the growth of this country". "We have to invest a lot in the construction of new airports, expanding new airports and also improving and adding many facilities on the air side, increasing the ATC strength and equipment," he added.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday asserted that his new government was not only committed to fulfilling the promise of 10 lakh jobs, made by his deputy Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, but would like to exceed the employment generation target twice over. The "historic announcement, made on a historic day", was applauded by Yadav, who has returned as the deputy CM after five years and was among those present at the Independence Day function. Delivering an extempore speech, Kumar turned towards Yadav and said, "We are together and we have this concept of 10 lakh jobs. We will do it. I would say, we shall be aiming for 20 lakh jobs. We will make efforts to achieve this target through both government and private sectors."

The young deputy CM told reporters afterwards exultingly, "It is a historic decision made by the chief minister on a historic occasion. There can be no bigger issue today than job creation. It should silence those who were questioning what happened to my promise."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday made a strong pitch for innovation with the slogan 'Jai Anusandhan' as India marches towards the centenary of Independence. Recalling the slogan given by former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, Modi noted that former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee added 'Jai Vigyan' to it. "There is one more necessity as we move towards Amrit Kaal – Jai Anusandhan (hail innovation). 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan'," Modi said in his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 76th Independence Day. The prime minister had given the slogan 'Jai Anusandhan' at the Indian Science Congress in Jalandhar in January 2019.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin hoisted the national flag at Fort St George in Chennai.

French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated India on Independence Day. "..As you proudly celebrate India’s stunning achievements in the past 75 years, you can count on France to always stand by your side," he tweeted

India on the occasion of its 76th Independence Day will hand over maritime surveillance aircraft Dornier 228 to Sri Lanka on a gratis basis for two years. The aircraft is being provided for an interim period of two years till a plane being manufactured in India for Sri Lanka is ready. The aircraft comes as a sequel to the dialogue between India and Sri Lanka that took place on January 9, 2018 in New Delhi, when the Sri Lankan government sought the possibility of obtaining two Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft from India. Handing over ceremony of Dornier Aircraft will be held today. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian High commissioner Gopal Baglay will be present at the ceremony, confirmed the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

Notably, handing over of the Dornier aircraft by India comes a day before the Chinese ship 'Yuan Wang 5' will dock at the southern port of Hambantota on Tuesday for a week.

The Indian Navy, Indian Army, and Indian Air Force are celebrating India's 76th Independence Day with zest and fervour. Indian Navy ships made commemorative visits to overseas ports on every continent (except Antarctica) as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark India's 75th anniversary of independence. Read more here

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday (local time) wished India on its 75th Independence Day and lauded its achievements. Wishing all those marking India's Independence Day a wonderful celebration, Albanese said in a statement, "All Australians applaud India's successes, and the many achievements that define this great country and its people. We also give thanks for the contribution of our Indian-Australian community to our society, to our culture, to our country, and to the links between our nations." "The emergence of the world's largest democracy and the achievements made by independent India have been remarkable," Albanese further said in the statement. "On the first Independence Day in 1947, when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru called for his people to join with confidence in the adventure of their new independence, the world could not have imagined how profoundly India would heed his call," said the Australian PM. Recalling his first act as PM of Australia, he said that he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Quad summit in Tokyo. 

"I have fond memories of my travels to India, and remain strongly committed to deepening our partnership in the spirit of respect, friendship and cooperation. My first act as Prime Minister was to attend the Quad summit in Tokyo, where I met with Indian Prime Minister Modi. Together, with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida and US President Biden, we reinforced our commitment to advancing the Indo-Pacific's needs," said the Australian PM. He also said that Australia and India are Comprehensive Strategic Partners and highlighted Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed this year. "As Comprehensive Strategic Partners, Australia and India are committed to growing bilateral cooperation. This year's Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement will further support opportunities for mutual growth and prosperity," he said in the statement.

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Monday wished the countrymen on 76th Independence Day and said that the country has always lived up to its pluralism and diversity.

"In the last 75 years, India has left an indelible mark on the international arena in all fields including science, education, health and information technology through the hard work of its talented Indians," the veteran Congress leader stated.

"India established a free, fair and transparent election system under the leadership of its visionary leaders while strengthening democracy and constitutional institutions," she added. "Along with this, India has made its proud identity as a leading country that has always lived up to its pluralism and diversity."

Taking a dig at the present government, the Congress interim president said that today's government is hell-bent on trivializing the great sacrifices of the country's freedom fighters and their glorious achievements. This, she said, can never be accepted.

"Indian National Congress will strongly oppose any misrepresentation of historical facts for political gains and every attempt to put great national leaders like Gandhi-Nehru-Patel-Azad Ji in the dock on the ground of falsity," she asserted.

The Border Security Force troops and Pakistan Rangers personnel exchanged sweets at Attari-Wagah border.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee hoists the national flag in Kolkata. She later joined the folk artists as they perform at the Independence Day celebrations in Kolkata

The Border Security Force troops and Pakistan Rangers personnel exchanged sweets at J&K's RS Pura. 

Wishes poured in from across the world on the 76th Independence Day of India. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving priority to healthcare and digital transformation for the country's development. 

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday alleged that a "self-obsessed" government is hell-bent on "trivialising" the sacrifices of freedom fighters and the party will strongly oppose such attempts made for political gains.

Gandhi's attack came a day after the BJP released a video narrating its version of events that led to India's partition in 1947 in which it tangentially accused the top Congress leadership at the time and showed pictures of Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The Congress had also taken a strong exception to the exclusion of India’s first prime minister Nehru in the Karnataka government's newspaper advertisement on freedom fighters and termed the BJP action "pathetic".

The Congress will strongly oppose any misrepresentation of historical facts and every attempt to put great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Abul Kalam Azad in the dock based on falsehood for "political gains", she said.

Indian Army troops recite the national anthem at the Siachen Glacier after unfurling the national flag on the occasion of the 76th Independence Day.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday greeted the people on the 75th anniversary of India's Independence. Sharing a quote from the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru's 'Tryst with Destiny' speech, he also posted a montage of pictures highlighting India's rich cultural tradition. "'To India, our much-loved motherland, the ancient, the eternal and the ever-new, we pay our reverent homage and we bind ourselves afresh to her service.' Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind," Gandhi tweeted.

India will soon see the advent of 5G mobile services, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday as he rooted for 'Made-in-India' technology solutions to meet challenges of new India. The Prime Minister said that it is time for India's techade and digital technology is going to bring in reforms in every area. "India's techade is here! With 5G, semiconductor manufacturing & Optical Fibre Cable (OFCs) in villages, we are bringing a revolution through Digital India to the grassroots level," Modi said. 

He said that the Digital India Movement with production of semiconductors, 5G networks and optical fibre network show strength in three segments -- education, health facilities and change in common man's lives. Modi said that India's industrial growth will come from the grassroots. "Our Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), street vendors & those working in the organised sectors need to be strengthened," he said.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal extended warm wishes for Independence Day. He wrote, "Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka extends warm greetings and felicitations to EAM Dr S Jaishankar on the happy occasion of 76th Independence Day Day of India."

A made-in-India gun was used for the first time in 75 years for the ceremonial 21-shot salute to the tricolour at the historic Red Fort on Independence Day. So far, British guns have been used for the ceremonial salute. Also, for the first time, MI-17 helicopters showered flowers at the Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations. "The sound that we always wanted to hear, we are hearing it after 75 years. It is after 75 years that the tricolour has got the ceremonial salute at the Red Fort for the first time from a made-in-India gun," PM Modi said. Read more here

During his 2022 Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon the private sector to play a key role in the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, saying India can make for the world. PM Modi also commended defence forces for taking forward 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. PM Modi said, for the first time in 75 years, a completely-indigenous cannon salute was given at the Red Fort on 15th August. It was the first time that the salute was given from two cannons made in India. Read more here

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on Independence Day said there has been a renaissance of collective consciousness across the country, especially among the aspirational Indians in fulfilling their dreams.

"This Amrit Kaal has brought in a great opportunity to fulfil the dreams of our aspirational society. We have witnessed that there has been a renaissance of collective consciousness across the country. Those aspirations are now getting realised. This collective consciousness is very precious for us," Prime Minister Modi said while speaking about aspirational Indians.

"India is an aspirational society where changes are being powered by a collective spirit. The people of India want positive changes and also want to contribute to them. Every government has to address this aspiration," Modi added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the completion of 75 years of Independence was a time to step towards a new direction with a new resolve. An aspirational society is important for any nation. Today, "we are proud that these aspirations are present in every household in India. Every citizen is enthusiastic, impatient for the fast progress of New India," he said. Read more here

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, received honours from PM Narendra Modi on August 15 for his contributions to the independence movement and nation-building. PM Modi also mentioned, during his speech, Mahatma Gandhi, BR Ambedkar, Ram Manohar Lohia among others. Read more here

PM Modi during his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on Independence Day said that India is facing two main challenges today - corruption & 'Parivaarvaad. “Two big challenges we face today - corruption & 'Parivaarvaad' or nepotism. Corruption hollowing the country like a termite, we've to fight it. We've to raise awareness against 'Parivaarwaad' to realise strength of our institutions, to take country forward on the basis of merit,” he said.

PM Modi on Monday said respect for women is an important pillar for India's growth and stressed the need to extend support to 'Nari Shakti'. Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 76th Independence Day, he said it is important that in speech and conduct "we do nothing that lowers the dignity of women". "A distortion has crept in our conduct and we at times insult women. Can we take a pledge to get rid of this from our behaviour and values," he posed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi kept with tradition with his distinctive headgear as he hoisted the National Flag and delivered his customary address from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort to mark the occasion of the country's 76th Independence Day.

This year, which marks his ninth consecutive Independence Day address to the nation, the prime minister sported a white safa, which sported the tricolour's motifs and a long trail.

Let's take a stroll down memory lane:

2021: For his 8th Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi donned a saffron turban with red patterns and a long pink trail. He elevated his look with a traditional kurta and a churidar, a blue jacket, and a stole.

2020: In 2020, Narendra Modi chose to wear a cream-coloured traditional kurta and churidar but what stood as the star of the attire was his orange and yellow safa (Rajasthani headgear) with a long trail.

2019: Prime Minister Modi sported a white kurta with his red and orange leheriya turban that had a tinge of green.

2018: In 2018, PM Modi kept it simple with a plain orange and red safa, with a long trail, and a white kurta. He teamed the ensemble with a black and white stole.

2017: For his Independence Day 2017 look, Modi opted for a beige bandhgala kurta paired with a yellow-red turban with a long trail.

2016: On the 69th Independence Day, PM Modi adorned a plain white kurta with his red-pink-yellow coloured Rajasthani safa.

2015: Modi sported a cream-coloured

kurta along with a beige colour Nehru jacket. His turban had red and green stripes. Modi jacket'. His look featured an additional embellishment - a tri-coloured pocket square.

2014: For his maiden Independence Day address as the Prime Minister, Modi opted for a Jodhpuri bandhej turban in bright red colour with green at the trail. He paired it up with an offwhite half-sleeved khadi kurta and a white-coloured signature taut churidar.

We always remember Lal Bahadur Shastri ji's slogan of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan'. Later, AB Vajpayee added 'Jai Vigyaan' to this slogan. Now, there is another necessity to add - 'Jai Anusandhan' (research & innovation). Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyaan aur Jai Anusandhan, says PM Modi

“Mahatma Gandhi's dream of caring for the last person, his aspiration of making the last person capable - I dedicated myself to that. As a result of those eight years and experience of several years of independence I can see a capability, on 75 years of independence,” PM Modi said.

Beginning his speech at the Red Fort marking India's 75th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday recalled the "architects of free India" who significantly contributed to India's freedom struggle.

"During our freedom struggle, there was not one year where our freedom fighters did not face brutality and cruelty. Today is the day when, as we pay them our respects, we need to remember their vision and dream for India," PM Modi said while addressing the nation from the Red Fort for the ninth consecutive time. 

"Our country is grateful to Gandhiji, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Ramprasad Bismil, Rani Laxmi Bai, Subash Chandra Bose, and all other freedom fighters who shook the foundations of the British Empire. We salute not only those who fought for freedom, but also the architects of free India such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Ram Manohar Lohia and Sardar Vallabhai Patel, amongst the many others," PM Modi said. 

While addressing the nation, PM Modi said Pride of Nari Shakti will play a vital role in fulfilling the dreams of India. He said, “I have one request to every Indian. Can we change the mentality towards our women in everyday life. Pride of Nari Shakti will play a vital role in fulfilling the dreams of India.” “If we look at India's Nari Shakti in law, education, science, police; In every aspect of life , our daughters and mothers are making major contributions to India.”

Prime Minister Modi urged the youth, who will turn 50 at 2047, to take an oath to make India a developed country by 100 years of Independence. “When we take an oath, we make it happen. That’s why when I spoke about Swachh Bharat in my first speech, there was a movement,” he said

For the next 25 years we need to focus on the 5 resolves -

1. Viksit Bharat

2. Removing every ounce of Gulami in us

3. Pride for our glorious heritage

4. Unity

5. Fulfilling our Duties

India is an aspirational society where changes are being powered by a collective spirit. The people of India want positive changes and also want to contribute towards it. Every govt has to address this aspiration society, says PM Modi at Red Fort.

PM Modi at Red Fort while addressing the nation said, “India is the mother of democracy. India has proved that it has a precious ability, and faced many challenges during its journey of 75 years.”

This nation is thankful to Mangal Pandey, Tatya Tope, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil and our innumerable revolutionaries who shook the foundation of the British Rule. The citizens are thankful to Bapu, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Veer Savarkar who gave their lives on the path of duty. Kartvya path hi unka jeevan path raha. Every India is filled with pride when they remember the strength of the women of India- be it Rani Laxmibai, Jhalkari Bai, Chennamma, Begun Hazrat Mahal, says PM Modi at Red Fort

I congratulate all Indians and those who love India on this Independence Day. It is a day to step towards a new direction with a new resolve: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to begin delivering his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort at 7.33 am.