Independence Day 2021 Highlights: Tricolour unfurled at INS Tabar which is deployed to Portsmouth in UK

Be it rice available at ration shop, rice available in mid-day meal, rice available through every scheme will be fortified by the year 2024: PM

It is essential to fully utilise the capabilities of India to take it to new heights, in the 21st century. For this, we have to hold hands of the section that is lagging behind, the area that is lagging behind. To take India to newer heights, our government has passed the OBC bill. It will provide reservation to the backward classes of our country: PM

Now, we have to move even further. 100% villages should have roads, 100% households should have a bank account, 100% beneficiaries should have Ayushman Bharat card, 100% eligible persons should have gas connection under Ujjwala scheme: PM Modi

A time comes in the development journey of every country when that nation defines itself from a new end, when it takes itself forward with new resolutions. Today, that time has come in India's development journey: PM Narendra Modi

Our goal is to develop a nation where we not only have the world-class infrastructure but also move ahead with the mantra of ‘Minimum government, maximum governance’. In this Bharat ki Vikas Yatra, we don't have to limit our celebrations to Amrit Mahotsav but ensure that we meet our goals when we celebrate 100 years of India's Independence: PM Modi

Indians have fought this battle (Covid-19) with a lot of patience. We had many challenges but we worked with extraordinary pace in every area. It's a result of strength of our industrialists & scientists, that today India doesn't need to depend on any other nation for vaccines

After all our efforts we also lost many in this fight against Covid-19. This unbearable pain will always remain with us: PM

Partition’s pains can never be forgotten. Yesterday we took an emotional decision of marking 14th August as ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’: PM Modi

I convey my greetings on this special occasion of Independence Day. This is a day to remember our great freedom fighters: PM Modi at Red Fort

The Prime Minister arrived at the Red Fort in New Delhi and inspected the guard of honour organised by the armed forces.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's motorcade arrived at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, at Rajghat on 75th Independence Day. He is making his way to the Red Fort for the national flag hosting in a matter of minutes. The live telecast can be watched here.

On the occasion of Independence Day last year, Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation for 86 minutes. It was his third-longest speech. He spoke for 93 minutes in 2019 and In 2016, the Prime Minister addressed the nation for 96 minutes, his longest speech ever.

Prime Minister Modi has spoken for a total of 9 hours and 24 minutes from the Red Fort in his seven years from 2014 to 2020.

On the occasion of 75th Independence Day 2021, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh hoisted the national flag from residence in New Delhi 

The National Flag Guard, with five officers and 130 men from the Indian Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and also the Delhi Police, has arrived.

Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters are set to make an appearance at the Independence Day celebrations on Sunday after a gap of 24 years. Two Mi-17 V5 helicopters will shower petals on the venue as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoists the national flag. Read More

Extending wishes on the occasion of India's Independence Day, US President Joe Biden said that New Delhi and Washington must show the world that the "two great and diverse democracies" can deliver for people everywhere.

In a statement, Biden said: "I wish all those celebrating today, in India, in the United States, and throughout the world, a safe and happy Indian Independence Day". Read More

India is celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ on Sunday, a day that marks the 75th Independence Day 2021 for the country from nearly two centuries of British colonial rule. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the nation from the historic Red Fort in New Delhi. The event begins at 6:30am.

Here's how to watch the live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Red Fort speech on 15th August.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Wishing you all a very happy 75th Independence Day! May this year of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' bring new energy and consciousness among the citizens of the country.” Read More

Neeraj Chopra, India's gold-winner at the Olympics, says: “Earlier, we used to watch it (the flag hoisting ceremony) on TV, and now we are personally going there. It is a new experience. We hadn't won a gold medal in individual sports for so long. I felt good that the country felt proud because of me.”