PM Narendra Modi addresses nation on its 75th year of Independence

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today led the Independence Day celebrations from the ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi.

“Our tricolour is waving in its full glory not only in India, but in every corner of the world,” the Prime Minister said in his address to the nation.

He said the completion of 75 years of Independence was a time to step towards a new direction with a new resolve.

PM Modi offered tributes to a galaxy of freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Veer Savarkar, Bhagat Singh, Jawaharlal Nehru among others.

“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.

Prime Minister Modi  said the next 25 years were ‘crucial’ for India’s development and future, and made five pledges, or ‘paanch praan‘, to the people of the country.

The five pledges made by PM Modi were:

•  To work towards the development of India
•  No form of slavery or subjugation, and to erase all forms of colonial baggage,
• To display pride in the heritage of the country,
•  To find unity among 130 crore Indians, and
•  That all citizens, including the prime minister, chief minister and other leaders, must fulfill their duties as citizens.

“I urge youth to dedicate next 25 years of their lives for nation’s development; we will work towards development of entire humanity.”

The PM also spoke at length about India being an ‘aspirational society’. (Agencies)