The nation is celebrating its 72nd Independence Day today. The main function was held in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the tri-colour and addressed the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort.

Mr Modi announced the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna under the Ayushman Bharat project to provide healthcare to 50 crore people.
The Prime Minister also said, there is a need to ensure social justice for all and create an India that is progressing rapidly. He termed the recently concluded Parliament session as the one devoted to social justice.

Turning to Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Modi said, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had shown us the path of Insaniyat, Kashmiryat and Jamhuriyat. Mr Modi said, his government will move forward in J&K by embracing people, and not by bullet and abuse.

The Prime Minister also pushed for women empowerment, saying that women employed in armed forces through Short Service Commission will be given equal chance as men.

Mr Modi also assured Muslim women of all efforts to stop Triple Talaq.

Mr Modi also said, many parts of the nation witnessed a good monsoon but at the same time parts of India have been affected by floods. He extended Centre’s full support to the states hit by Monsoon fury.

In his fifth address from the Red Fort, the Prime Minister said, the decision on Minimum Support Price for Kharif crops, which was pending for years, was taken by his government for the benefit of the farmers.

Mr Modi said, with a ‘Beej Se Bazar Tak’ approach, the government is bringing remarkable changes in the agriculture sector, and the aim is to double the farmers’ income by 2022.

The Prime Minister also thanked the business community for the success of the GST and for making it a reality. He said, from being seen as among the fragile five, India is now the land of reform, perform and transform.

The Prime Minister said, his government was able to take a decision on the One Rank One Pension scheme, which was pending for decades. He also said, due to Swachh Bharat mission, lakhs of children can lead healthier lives.

Mr Modi also said, there was a time when Delhi was supposed to be too far for North East, but today the government has brought Delhi to the doorsteps of North East.

Mr Modi also announced that India will send a manned mission Gaganyaan and become the fourth country to send a human into space. He said, an Indian astronaut, be it son or daughter, will go into space in Gaganyaan by the year 2022.

Mr Modi said, the government is making efforts to fulfil the needs and aspirations of the people and both Centre and the state governments should work together in this direction.
On behalf of the people of India, the Prime Minister bowed to all those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the nation.
The unfurling of the national flag synchronised with the 21 Gun Salute by the valiant gunners of the elite 2281 Field Battery (Ceremonial). The National Flag Guard, comprising 32 men and one officer each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police presented the Rashtriya Salute.
The Naval Band also played the National Anthem when the National Guard presented the ‘Rashtriya Salute’. Seven hundred NCC cadets drawn from 16 schools of the Delhi Directorate comprising the Army, Navy and Air wings participated in the flag hoisting ceremony. Around 8,500 students also took part.