71st Independence Day Highlights: From terrorism to fight against triple talaq, PM Modi addresses nation

As India celebrated its 70 glorious years of freedom, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday unfurled the national flag at the Red Fort. While addressing the nation from Red fort Modi took up various developments and also issues prevailing in our country and how youngsters are the future of India.

The chant during fight for freedom and independence was ' Bharat Chorro' (Quit india), now the chant is ' Bharat Jodo' (Join India), was one significant one liner used by PM Modi during his eloquent speech.

Here are the topics addressed by PM Modi in his Independence day speech at Red Fort at New Delhi.

Only love and not bullets or abuse can help resolve the dragging problem in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.

"We are committed for the development of Jammu and Kashmir and this is also the resolve of every Indian," the Prime Minister said in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort here.

Modi said the separatist campaign in the state cannot be resolved by "gaali se" (abuse) or "goli se" (bullet) but by embracing every Kashmiri.

But Modi made it clear that there would be no let up while dealing with the separatists.

At the same, he appealed to the terrorists to join the mainstream. "You have every right to make your voices heard in Indian democracy."

He said that terrorism that has divided nations has come as a major issue for India. Many countries are actively helping India in the war against terror, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

The Prime Minister thanked these countries but without naming them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today mentioned in his Independence Day speech the recent death of nearly 70 children at a state-run hospital in Uttar Pradesh, and said sympathies of the entire nation were with the affected families.

Delivering his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi said, "Many parts of the country faced natural calamities in the recent past. Children died at a hospital, the entire nation is with them."

"Natural calamities become a big challenge. Good rains contribute to prosperity of the country, but climate change creates problems," he added.

Nearly 70 children, including infants, have died at BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur in the past few days. Many of these deaths were alleged to have been caused by shortage of oxygen, a claim dismissed by the state government.

The prime minister said sympathies of the 125 crore countrymen were with the affected families and that the government would extend all possible help to them.

"I assure the people that with all sensitivity in mind, the government will ensure the well-being and safety of people and will leave no stone unturned to help them," he said. 

He termed 2017 a special year and urged to take the country ahead with determination to create a "New India".

"This is a special year. This year we are celebrating 75th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, 100th anniversary of Champaran Satyagraha and 125th anniversary of Ganesh Utsav," the Prime Minister said while addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 71st Independence Day.

"We have to take the country ahead with the determination for creating a New India," he added.

Recalling the combined efforts made between 1942 and 1947 to gain freedom, the Prime Minister appealed to the citizens to show similar power, effort and determination for the next five years to help the country progress.

The surgical strike on terrorist launch pads in Pakistani territory proved to the world India's strength, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

Praising the armed forces on the occasion of Independence day, Modi said: "In free India it is very important to protect the country. The surgical strike was a proof to the world about India's strength."

Modi said every soldier, irrespective of whether he was in the Army, Navy or Air Force, was contributing to the country.

"Our soldiers have stood against everything that is against the country such as infiltrators, militants... The world has seen our strength."

He said those who have looted the nation and the poor are now not able to sleep peacefully.

Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, he also said that those who own "benami" properties were facing difficult times.

"Soon after the Benami Act was implemented, the government has seized benami properties worth Rs 800 crore," he said.

He said his government had implemented the demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) for military personnel after it had been kept pending for 30-40 years.

In an obvious attack on cow vigilantes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi  said violence in the name of one's values was unacceptable.

"Violence in the name of one's belief is not something to be happy about. It will not be accepted in India. India is about peace, unity and amity. Casteism and communalism will not help us," he said in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort here.

Modi added: "The poison of casteism and communalism can never be beneficial for our nation and should not be endorsed."

In his final few sentences he said that those born in the 21st century will decide the future of the nation and the year 2018 would be crucial for them in that quest.

"The year 2018 is significant for those born in the 21st century," Modi said in his speech here on the occasion of Independence Day.

He said that from January 1, 2018, the millenials would start turning 18 and will then decide the future of the 21st century and shape the vision of a "new India".

"So I invite them to take this opportunity to shape the future of the nation and participate in India's development."

The Prime Minister added that through collective efforts, sacrifice and commitment of 125 crore Indians, especially the younger generation, a new India would be created which is secure, prosperous and powerful, and where all Indians are equal.

"With firm commitment towards a better and brighter India, we have to move on from disappointment. We have to move on from 'chalta hai' attitude towards 'badal raha hai' and 'badal sakta hai' attitude," Modi said.

He said with that confidence, the 125 crore Indians will collectively change the nation for the better.

Living up to his promise, Modi spoke for over 54 minutes, which was shortest since 2014. He spoke for over 65 minutes in 2014, 86 minutes in 2015 and 94 minutes in 2016.