LIVE! Deoria SP shunted out over shelter home abuse

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Wed, 15 August 2018

Deoria SP shunted out over shelter home abuse

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20:44 Deoria SP shunted out over shelter home abuse

Taking strong note of the Deoria shelter home abuse case, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today shunted out superintendent of police Rohan P Kanay and initiated departmental action against him.

"SP Deoria Rohan (P Kanay) has been removed from his post and attached to the DGP office and departmental action has been initiated against him. Besides him, Rakesh Shankar, who was SP Deoria (Sep 2017-Mar 2018) and currently posted as DIG Basti, has also been removed from his post and attached to the DGP office. Departmental action has been initiated against him too," an official spokesperson said.

On August 6, 24 girls were rescued from an illegally-run shelter home in Deoria after allegation of their sexual exploitation came to light.

Deoria Circle Officer Dayaram Singh Gaur has also been removed and a departmental inquiry ordered against him, the spokesperson said, adding that the inspector of Deoria police station has been suspended for his laxity.

DGP O P Singh had ordered a probe into the matter by ADG (Gorakhpur zone) and on the basis of his report, submitted on August 11, the DGP office gave recommendations to the government yesterday, he said.

The action was taken on these recommendations, he added.

-- PTI

Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy today hoped the Centre would respect and respond positively to public sentiments in favour of holding the Aero India show here itself and not shift it to Lucknow.

Kumaraswamy, who has already written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, raised it during his Independence day address after hoisting the tricolour.

The Congress had alleged that the Modi government was planning to shift the show to Lucknow for political gains in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Union Minister Ananth Kumar had clarified yesterday that Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had confirmed that there was no decision on the matter.

"The public are strongly opposed to shifting of this event. I have written to the Prime Minister and Defence Minister and brought this issue to the notice of Members of Parliament too," the chief minister said.

On demands from various quarters for separate statehood for North Karnataka, he said the strong will of the people have silenced the 'feeble voices clamouring for division.'

Kumaraswamy said the government has taken a big step to help farmers through waiver of Rs 49,000 crore crop loans taken from cooperative as well as commercial banks.

"Already crop loans in the cooperative sector has been waived, which will help 20.38 lakh farmers," he said.

Kumaraswamy said the government would organise 1,000 theatre shows named 'Gandhi-150,a theatrical journey' all over Karnataka on Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary on October 2.

The chief minister said that along with infrastructure and other facilities, education for all, health for all and social security for all is the priority of his government.

The government intends to establish industrial clusters in various districts and create one lakh jobs in each of them Kumaraswamy said.

He said the the government would accord priority to employment generation beyond Bengaluru in Tier II and III cities of the state, he said.

-- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences this evening to enquire about the health condition of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has been undergoing treatment at the premier institute.

There was no official update on Vajpayee's health condition.

Before Modi, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani also visited AIIMS to see the ex-PM.

Vajpayee was admitted to the AIIMS on June 11 with kidney tract infection, chest congestion, urinary tract infection and low urine output.

The 93-year-old BJP leader, a diabetic, has one functional kidney. He had suffered a stroke in 2009 that weakened his cognitive abilities. Subsequently, he developed dementia.

18:43 Won't be cowed down by any flutter: Stalin

Embroiled in a succession war with his estranged brother M K Azhagiri, Dravida Munnetra Kazagham working president M K Stalin today said he would "not be cowed down" by any flutter and vowed to overcome any challenges emanating from within or outside the party.

Stalin made the remarks in a letter to his partymen.

"I was raised by Kalaignar; (I) will not be cowed down by (any) flutter. I will overcome any challenges being created from within and outside the party with the help of the dear supporters of Kalaignar," he said.

His remarks come at a time when Azhagiri, expelled by DMK patriarch and their father M Karunanidhi in 2014 at the height of his fight with Stalin over establishing supremacy in Tamil Nadu's main opposition party, has raised a banner of revolt.

The DMK's first family had presented a united face when Karunanidhi was fighting for his life at a city hospital. Alagiri was present at the hospital and was also seen at Karunanidhi's funeral.

On Monday, days after Karunanidhi's death, Alagiri claimed all loyal party workers were with him and that the DMK would "dig its own grave" if it did not take him back.

In his letter, Stalin also said "political rivals" were more concerned about what was happening in the DMK in the post-Karunanidhi era.

"The central rulers (BJP) are sowing communalism and snatching away the state's rights. Political rivals are showing more concern than us to know what is happening in our party in the wake of Thalaivar's (leader - Karunanidhi) loss," he said.

The rivals are nursing the fond hope that they can make a "mountain out of a molehill", he added.

Claiming that Tamil Nadu had done well under the DMK rule, he alleged the ruling AIADMK had left the state in "shambles".

Stalin said he took the responsibility of keeping the party intact in the wake of Karunanidhi's demise with the "unshakable confidence" that the supporters will be with him.

Yesterday, at an urgent meeting of the DMK's executive committee, the party rallied behind Stalin.

Long time aide of Karunanidhi and DMK principal secretary Duraimurugan had insisted that Stalin would soon take over the party's reins as he had traits like "concern, skills and hard work".

Though Stalin sits firmly in the saddle and his ascension as DMK president appears to be only a matter of time, Alagiri's tough posturing may prod his supporters in Madurai and adjoining districts to come out openly against the new chief.

If that happens, the DMK, which has lost two successive assembly polls and failed to open its account in the Lok Sabha polls in 2014, may encounter fresh electoral reverses in the elections next year.

-- PTI

The Cochin International Airport today suspended all flight operations till Saturday as water gushed the airport area following unabated rains and the opening of dam shutters in the Periyar river.

Chief Minster Pinarayi Vijayan called an urgent meeting at the Secretariat and decided to seek permission from the Centre to allow small aircrafts to land at the naval airport in Kochi.

The Cochin International Airport Limited, which decided to suspend the arrival operations at 4 am to 7 am today as a precautionary measure, had earlier said the airport would be shut till 2 pm.

It later issued another advisory saying the operations have been suspended till Saturday afternoon.

A spokesperson of the airport said, "Kochi Airport operations have been temporarily suspended till Saturday 2 pm as the inflow of water is still on a rising trend. We are working hard to drain out the storm water."

An official statement said the state government would soon approach the civil aviation ministry asking whether small flights to Kochi could be allowed to land at the naval airport.

It would also request the ministry to utilise the other two airports in the state - Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram - instead of reverting the flights to Mumbai and other places, the statement said.

-- PTI

BSP president Mayawati today dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort as an "election speech in his political style".

Mayawati said that the speech "failed to infuse" new energy or hope and the prime minister "failed to assure the safety of life" and property of people which is of utmost importance.

"The speech was an election speech given in a totally political style ... it would have been better had the annual speech from the Red Fort not been used to serve political interests," the BSP chief said in a party release issued here.

"The BJP government needs to give the account of usefulness of policies and work in Parliament while the speech at the Red Fort needs to extend hope and confidence among the people to deal with the new challenges facing the country," she said.

"But, it seems that the BJP is not going to rise above its narrow and vindictive politics ... this seems impossible especially in view of the coming (Lok Sabha) elections," Mayawati said.

Lamenting that the speech was used to speak about the works done by his government in the over four years, she said Modi has been doing this also in his rallies and election meetings as well as in Parliament.

Maywati also questioned the prime minister's "silence" over the fast changing political situation and dangers facing the economy which has affected petrol, diesel, rupee, and the lives of Indians settled abroad.

-- PTI

A 12th century bronze Buddha statue stolen from a museum at Nalanda in Bihar nearly 60 years ago was returned to India today by the London's Metropolitan Police as part of a ceremony here to mark India's Independence Day.

The bronze statue with silver inlay is one of the 14 statues stolen in 1961 from the Archaeological Survey of India site museum in Nalanda and changed several hands over the years before surfacing at a London auction.

Once the dealer and the owner were made aware the sculpture was the same one that had been stolen from India, the Metropolitan Police said they cooperated with the Met's Art and Antiques Unit and agreed for the piece to be returned to India.

The statue was identified at a trade fair in March this year by Lynda Albertson of the Association for Research into Crimes Against Art and Vijay Kumar from the India Pride Project, who then alerted the police.

Scotland Yard returned the statue stolen to the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Y K Sinha, as part of a ceremony to mark Independence Day at India House in London today.

"I am delighted to return this piece of history. This is an excellent example of the results that can come with close cooperation between law enforcement, trade and scholars," said Met Police Detective Chief Inspector Sheila Stewart, who was accompanied by officials from the UK's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport at the handover ceremony.

Although this was stolen over 50 years ago, this did not prevent the piece being recognised and the credit must go to the eagle eye informants who made us aware that the missing piece had been located after so many years, she said.

Sinha described the return of the priceless Buddha as a wonderful gesture and a particular honour given his own roots in Bihar.

-- PTI

Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the former could have spoken the truth.

"I wished that Modi ji would have spoken the truth in his last speech as the Prime Minister, even if it wasn't his 'Mann ki Baat' he could have said 'Kaam ki Baat' for the nation. Since 'Acche Din' never came, the country is waiting for 'Sacchhe Din' when Modi Ji would leave. His last speech as the PM was shallow and insignificant," said Surjewala.

Surjewala also lashed out at the PM for not addressing issues like Rafale deal, Vyapam and PDS scams, the rise of the hostile environment in the country.

"He didn't speak a word on Rafale, Vyapam, PDS scam, on Doklam or other areas being encroached upon by China, on the rising hostile environment in the country in the name of religion, caste, food, and clothes," said the Congress spokesperson.

The Congress leader also challenged the PM for an open discussion on issues of unemployment, falling rate of the economy, falling of the rupee.

"In 2013, the current prime minister challenged, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to have an open discussion over corruption, chaos, the situation with China and Pakistan, state of farmers, unemployment, failing economy and falling of the rupee. Today, as he is the Prime Minister I challenge him, to accept Congress president Rahul Gandhi's challenge for an open discussion over these issues."

While wishing the nation on the occasion of Independence Day, the Congress spokesperson said, "We wish the nation a happy Independence Day, on the behalf of all the workers and ministers of the Indian National Congress. The country now has to fight a new fight for freedom, freedom from unemployment, poverty, inequality, lack of opportunity, hatred, and false promises."

-- ANI

Amid the worsening flood situation in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the state is witnessing something that has never happened before in the history of the southern coastal state.

The CM has said that while almost all dams are opened, most of the water treatments plants and motors have been damaged.

We are witnessing something that has never happened before in the history of Kerala. Almost all dams are opened. Most of our water treatment plants are submerged, motors are damaged, said Vijayan.

He added, We are keeping all this in mind, but our priority is to get drinking water to the people.

Pointing that the rains would continue in the state for at least four more days, the CM said that those living in Kerala need to be careful. All the officials are involved in the rescue and relief operations. The rain will continue for the next four days too and we all need to be careful.

Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, who faced very public criticism from four of his most senior judges earlier this year, made an oblique reference to the issue in his address on the occasion of the Independence Day.

Claiming democracy was at stake, the judges had pointed fingers at the "administration of the Supreme Court" and flagged their concerns about assignment of "sensitive cases to junior judges".

To "criticize, attack and destroy a system is quite easy... what is difficult and challenging is to transform it to a performing one," Chief Justice Misra said today after unfurling the flag on the Supreme Court premises.

"Positive and concrete reforms must be undertaken with responsibility," the Chief Justice said, underscoring the need to "transcend one's personal ambitions or grievances" and making "constructive checks".

This was the first time Chief Justice Misra was speaking on the issue, which had shaken the nation by bringing out a shocking rift within the judiciary in January. The breach was mended over the following weeks and led to a more transparent and structured rostering.

Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech as progressive, industry bodies today said his nearly 90 minutes address to the nation from historic Red Fort reiterated the growing confidence of the world in the Indian growth story.

In his Independence Day speech, Modi said structural reforms of four years by his government have transformed the Indian economy from being among world's fragile five to an elephant that has started to run.

He placed special emphasis on doubling farmers' income and stated that diversification of agriculture is taking place through new sectors such as fisheries and bee-keeping.

In a statement, President of industry chamber CII Rakesh Bharti Mittal said the speech reiterated the growing confidence of the world in the Indian growth story and emphasised that India would continue to lead in different areas, including the fourth industrial revolution.

Industry body Ficci welcomed "firm resolve" of the prime minister to position India among the top economies of the world.

"The reforms initiated in the last few years, including RERA, IBC and GST, have started yielding results, and there is no doubt that the continuance of the reform mode will usher in a high growth phase going ahead. This will certainly strengthen India's position in the global economy, and help in reaching to the top," said Ficci President Rashesh Shah.

Shah added that the Indian economy is already witnessing the signs of economic revival, and the industry is ready to capitalise on it and turn it into 8 per cent plus growth phase in coming years.

"Prime Minister's confidence in India leading the fourth industrial revolution, which will be knowledge-based, is an opportunity for Indian industry to show its real potential. Ficci dedicates itself to this exercise," he said.

CII said the announcement of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Abhiyaan for health under the Ayushman Bharat scheme from September 25 is a milestone for the nation.

"With access to quality healthcare for 500 million people, the country will be able to make huge progress as people will feel secure and confident about their lives. This is really the need of the hour," Mittal said.

-- PTI

Wishing India on its 72nd Independence Day, the United States of America hailed India for setting an example globally 'by supporting democracy, diversity, and the rule of law.'

In a statement US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo said, "On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I extend my best wishes to the people and government of India on their Independence Day. Since gaining its independence 71 years ago today, India has set an example for South Asia and the world by supporting democracy, diversity, and the rule of law-values shared by the United States."

Further hailing the Indian-American diaspora he spoke about the "inspiring collaboration" in different sections of the society.

"As members of the oldest and largest democracies, the people of the United States and India have always enjoyed strong bonds of friendship. We are grateful for the vibrant Indian-American diaspora and the growing number of young people strengthening ties between our countries as exchange students. The values shared by our people contribute to inspiring collaboration in health, energy, environment, science, and high technology that will fuel the jobs and prosperity of the future," Pompeo further said.

He added, "On this Indian Independence Day, we congratulate India-a unique civilization, fellow democracy, and a friend-on taking its rightful place as a leading global power and continuing our shared efforts to sustain the rules-based order."

-- ANI

Rescuers scoured the wreckage of Italys bridge collapse on Wednesday as the death toll climbed to 37 and the government blamed the bridges private owner, demanding resignations and moving to strip its toll concession.

The 50-year-old bridge, part of a toll motorway linking the port city of Genoa with southern France, collapsed during torrential rain on Tuesday, sending dozens of vehicles crashing onto a riverbed, a railway and two warehouses.

As cranes moved in to shift truck-sized chunks of broken concrete, hundreds of firefighters searched for survivors, while public shock and grief turned to anger over the state of the 1.2 km-long bridge, completed in 1967 and overhauled two years ago.

The condition of the bridge, and its ability to sustain large increases in both the intensity and weight of traffic over the years, have been a focus of public debate since Tuesdays collapse, when an 80-metre span gave way at lunchtime as cars packed with holidaymakers as well as trucks streamed across it.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said the private sector manager of the bridge had earned billions from tolls but did not spend the money they were supposed to and its concession should be revoked.

He was apparently referring to the bridges concession-holder, Italian motorway firm Autostrade, a unit of Atlantia group.

Imposing the highest penalties possible and making sure that those responsible for the dead and the injured pay up for any damages and crimes is the very least, he said.

Fire brigade spokesman Luca Cari said 400 firefighters were at the site, lifting big chunks of concrete to create spaces for rescue teams to check for survivors.

India will be banking largely on their shooters, wrestlers and boxers to deliver gold at the Asian Games in Indonesia to better the 57-medal mark they achieved in Incheon four years ago.

India, who struggle at the Olympics despite their population, have done reasonably well in the quadrennial continental event, only twice finishing outside the top eight since hosting the first Asiad in 1951.

They won at least 10 golds in each of the last four Games and the Aug 18-Sept. 2 multi-sports competition will be a timely indicator ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Spearheading Indias golden pursuit will be the shooters, who topped the medal tally in this years Mexico World Cup, finishing ahead of United States and China and be headlined by a trio of talented teenagers.

Technologies that will help in sending an Indian astronaut to space - like human crew module and environment control and life support system - have already been developed, ISRO chairman K Sivan said today.

Prior to the actual launch by 2022, the Indian Space Research Organisation will have two unmanned missions and spacecraft will be fired using Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III, Sivan said.

"We have already developed the technology like human crew module, environment control and life support system. Before undertaking the launch, we will have two unmanned missions. We will use GLSV Mark-III for this project," Sivan said.

His remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in his Independence Day address that India will attempt a manned mission into space by 2022 on board 'Gaganyaan'.

If successful, India would be the fourth nation to achieve that feat.

Rakesh Sharma, a former IAF pilot, was the first Indian to travel to space. Sharma was a part of Soviet Union's Soyuz T-11 expedition, launched on April 2, 1984, as part of the Intercosmos programme.

Indian-born Kalpana Chawla and Indian-origin Sunita Williams are among the known names to have gone to the space.

Chawla was one of the seven crew members who perished in the space shuttle Columbia's disaster during its re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere.

In December 2014, he announced India will launch SAARC satellite as a "gift" to its neighbours.

Also please read: A morning with the first Indian in space

Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh quit the party today, citing a "very, very personal reason". The 53-year-old had left journalism to join AAP in 2014.

Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, however, rejected his move, tweeting: "How can we ever accept your resignation? Not in this lifetime." Ashutosh's move came months after a rift within the party over Delhi's three Rajya Sabha seats.

Announcing his resignation in a tweet, Ashutosh said: "Every journey has an end. My association with AAP which was beautiful/revolutionary has also an end.I have resigned from the PARTY/requested PAC to accept the same. It is purely from a very very personal reason.Thanks to party/all of them who supported me Throughout.Thanks."

A second tweet read: "To media friends. Please respect my privacy. I won't be giving any bite of any kind. Please cooperate."

Sources close to Ashutosh said that it was not a sudden decision. "It was a long-thought decision," a source said.

Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh tweeted that the party will try to persuade him to take back his decision.

The first poster of Kangana Ranuat's 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' has finally been revealed.

The 'Queen' star, who plays the role of warrior queen Rani Laxmi Bai, looks fierce and aggressive in the first poster. Filmmaker Krish Jagarlamudi took to social media to share the much anticipated first poster of the film.

The period drama also features Atul Kulkarni as Tatya Tope, Sonu Sood as Sadashiv and Ankita Lokhande as Jhalkarbai.

The film, which was earlier supposed to release in April this year, will now hit the big screens on January 25, 2019.

-- ANI

Governor of Madhya Pradesh Anandiben Patel takes additional charge as Governor of Chhattisgarh.

The move comes following the demise of Chhattisgarh Governor Balramji Dass Tandon on Tuesday. The 90-year-old died after suffering a heart attack at a government hospital on Tuesday.

He was one of the founder members of Jan Sangh, from which the Bharatiya Janata Party was born.

A strike called by separatists against Independence Day celebrations affected normal life in parts of Kashmir Valley today.

However, stringent security measures were put in place across the valley for the celebrations, a police official said.

Shops, private offices, fuel stations and other businesses were shut in Srinagar, the official said.

He said the city wore a deserted look as vehicles remained off roads. Only a few private cars were seen plying.

The police official said reports of shutdown were also received from other district headquarters in the valley.

The separatists under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership had asked people to observe a "black day" today.

The JRL comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik has asked people to observe a complete strike.

-- PTI

A number of plastic water bottles and banana peels lay scattered on the grounds of the Red Fort after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address, despite the government's emphasis on the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Minutes after the event ended, heaps of plastic water bottles could be seen in various enclosures where children and the public were seated, indicating a lack of arrangement for garbage disposal in the 17th century Mughal monument.

A few cartons were used as makeshift dustbins which eventually overflowed, forcing school children to throw garbage on the grounds.

"Surprisingly, there was no arrangement of dustbins for disposing off water bottles and other trash at such an important event even when the prime minister had been stressing on cleanliness and hygiene," said Namita Srivastava, a teacher who accompanied students for the event.

"The entire area looked like a dump yard. I simply fail to understand why they did not make some arrangement for disposal of trash," said another teacher, Rashmi Guha.

The students were distributed refreshments, including bananas and wafers, after the programme and in the absence of trash bins, they disposed them off at the spot.

The government had resolved to eliminate single-use plastic from India by 2022 to deal with plastic pollution. At an event organised to mark World Environment Day, India reaffirmed its commitment to defeat plastic pollution.

India generates about 25,940 tonnes of plastic and more than 97,000 tonnes of solid waste per day, according to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Image: Modi meets schoolchildren after addressing the nation during Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in Delhi. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

The Law Commission is set to recommend a tough legal framework this month to hold Lok Sabha and assembly polls together, highly placed sources on the panel said today.

"We were not asked whether we support it or not. We were asked to provide the way ahead. We will do that," a functionary said.

The commission would recommend amendments to the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act to ensure simultaneous polls.

The recommendations of the commission are not binding on the government, but the report will allow an informed debate among political parties and stakeholders, he said.

Simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies can be held in two phases beginning in 2019, provided at least two provisions of the Constitution are amended and ratified by majority of the states, a Law Commission study paper had said in April.

According to the working paper, the second phase of simultaneous polls can take place in 2024.

The document stated that the leader of the majority party be elected prime minister or chief minister by the entire House (Lok Sabha or state Assembly) to ensure stability of the government as well as the Lok Sabha or the Assembly.

The document proposed amending the Constitution (Articles 83(2) and 172(1) dealing with tenures of Lok Sabha and state Assemblies) and the Representation of the People Act to extend the terms of state legislative assemblies to effect the move.

It suggested that in case a government fell mid-term, the term of the new government would be for the remaining period "and not for a fresh five-year term".

-- PTI

10:53 AAP's Ashutosh resigns from party

Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh resigns from the party citing personal reasons.

In a statement on Twitter, he wrote, "Every journey has an end. My association with AAP which was beautiful/revolutionary has also an end.I have resigned from the PARTY/requested PAC to accept the same. It is purely from a very very personal reason.Thanks to party/all of them who supported me Throughout.Thanks."

He also added that he would not be speaking to the media and that they should respect his privacy.

Flight operations have been stopped at Kerala's Kochi airport after heavy rains caused waterlogging in nearby areas. Operations of international and domestic flights have been suspended till Saturday, August 18.

Operations were suspended after shutters of several dams were lifted which led to the flooding of the area.

Meanwhile, the weather office issued warning this morning that heavy rain accompanied with gusty winds, speed reaching 60 kmph, is expected in all districts of Kerala. The alert issued at 7 am is for three hours.

At 2.30 am, shutters of Mullaperiyar dam were opened after water levels rose. Hundreds of people living on the banks of Periyar river were shifted before the gates were opened.

After delivering his shortest Independence Day speech last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi resumed his trend of delivering long speeches and spoke for over 80 minutes while addressing the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort.

Modi had last year spoken for 57 minutes, his shortest Independence Day speech in five years.

In 2016, he had spoken for 96 minutes, the longest ever Independence Day address by an Indian prime minister.

India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru spoke for 72 minutes in 1947 which was till 2015 the longest ever speech from the Red Fort.

He spoke for over 65 minutes in 2014 and 86 minutes in 2015.

Modi's predecessor Manmohan Singh, who delivered 10 speeches over his long tenure at the helm, stuck to the 50-minute mark in his Independence Day speeches.

Search engine Google today dedicated a doodle to mark India's 72nd Independence Day inspired by the nation's truck art.

The doodle features a couple of peacocks crossing their beaks at the centre and the national birds are flanked on both sides by a Bengal tiger and an elephant.

Other elements in the doodle comprise India's national flower, the lotus with the sun rising in the backdrop and a riot of colourful flowers.

"A long-standing tradition in this four million square kilometre nation where truckers who live on the road surround themselves with cheerful folk art to occupy their minds during long months away from their families," the search engine giant said in a statement.

Clicking on the image takes the user to a number of entries on Independence Day, including videos, news reports and portals offering general information on the subject.

Previously, the Red Fort, various versions of the Indian flag, Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March and Indian postage stamps have been incorporated in Google's Independence Day doodles for India.

-- PTI

09:02

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ends his speech.

"We won't stop, won't bend and we won't get tired. We will write our own destiny, this is new India. we want to touch the sky and create a new India," Prime Minister ends his speech with slogans of 'Jai Hind' and Vande Mataram.

08:55 Pranab Mukherjee greets nation on Independence Day

Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday conveyed his wishes to the citizens on the occasion of 72nd Independence Day.

"My good wishes to fellow citizens in India & abroad on the occasion of India's Independence Day. Let us join together to pay tributes to the freedom fighters and respect to martyrs who laid down their lives for a free India," the former President wrote on his Twitter handle.

He also pointed out how from "a devastated colonial economy", India has reached where it stands today.

Highlighting some of the pressing issues that have rattled India since its Independence, the former Indian president said, "The task of nation-building will not be complete till we free every Indian from the constraints of illiteracy, hunger, poverty & disease. Let us pledge all our selves for this task. Jai Hind!"

-- ANI

08:47 Modi bats for women in the Armed Forces

Go woman power!

In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says that women officers commissioned in short service will get opportunity for permanent commission like their male counterparts.

As expected, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched his hotly-anticipated national health care scheme.

He says:

>> Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan will be launched on 25th September this year. It is high time we ensure that the poor of India get access to good quality and affordable healthcare

>> The scheme is being launched on the birth anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal

>> The healthcare initiatives of the Government of India will have a positive impact on 50 crore Indians. It is essential to ensure that we free the poor of India from the clutches of poverty due to which they cannot afford healthcare

>> India is proud of our scientists, who are excelling in their research and are at the forefront of innovation

>> India has become a ray of hope for people believing that global warming is a threat and a cause of environmental concern

>> India's scientists have always made her proud. More so when they launched over 100 satellites at one go. When they successfully launched the Mars mission on the very first attempt

>> In the year 2022 or if possible before, India will unfurl the tricolour in space

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today continues his tradition of wearing turbans at the Independence Day celebrations and is sporting a saffron turban during his address at the Red Fort.

Modi had worn an orange and green coloured Jodhpuri bandhej safa for his maiden Independence day speech as PM in 2014.

He continued the tradition by wearing a turban with red and green stripes with a long safa in 2015 while he wore a red-pink-yellow coloured Rajasthani safa in 2016.

Last year, the Prime Minister had chosen an off-white and yellow-red turban with a long trail.

-- PTI

Modi talks of nation building in his final speech as PM before the country goes to polls in 2019.

Here are highlights:

>> Since 2014, I am experiencing that the 125 crore Indians have not stopped after electing their government, they are continuously working towards the progress of the Nation

>> We are very proud of what we have achieved but at the same time, we also have to look at where we have come from. That is when we will realise the unbelievable strides the nation has taken

>> If we had continued at the same pace at which toilets were being constructed in 2013, the pace at which electrification was happening in 2013, then it would have taken us decades to complete

>> The demand for higher MSP was pending for years. From farmers to political parties to agriculture experts, everybody was asking about it but nothing happened. With the blessings of the farmers, the decision on MSP was taken by our Government

>> Who did not want the passage of the GST yet it was pending for years? Last year GST became a reality. I want to thank the business community for the success of the GST

>> "We got the insolvency and Bankruptcy code. No one had the courage, but we did it. Why was Benami property act not brought in place? We had the courage to bring it in practice. Our jawans were struggling for the One Rank One Pension policy. You gave us the responsibility and we fulfilled it

>> From being seen as among the fragile five, India is now the land of reform, perform and transform. We are poised for record economic growth

07:53

ANI's Smita Prakash makes this interesting observation.

When PM Modi saluted after unfurling the national flag, he used the Navy salute to honour the Tricolour.

07:42 Modi unfurls national flag, honours women in I-Day speech

On the occasion of Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi as tradition, addresses the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort.

He begins his address with the mention of women.

>> The country is touching new heights with more vigour and enthusiasm

>> Our daughters have crossed all seven seas and have coloured the world in tricolour

>> But on this Indpendence Day, I would salute the children of tribals who unfurled the national flag on Mount Everest and made India proud

>> India has registered its name as one of the largest global power. And after such an achievement, we are celebrating the Independence Day today. I pay tribute to all the great men of India, who fought for the country. I salute Army personnel and other forces who sacrifice their lives to protect India's national flag

07:36

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at Red Fort in Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day.

07:33

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Red Fort, to address the nation shortly.

Photograph: ANI/Twitter

07:33 In Independence Day speech, PM Modi may launch health scheme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to announce the pilot projects of Ayushman Bharat in select district hospitals on the occasion of Independence Day on Wednesday.

The full roll-out of the scheme is expected to be announced from September 25 onwards.

Ayushman Bharat, also refered to as 'Modicare', is the national healthcare policy launched by the government of India in February this year.

The ambitious healthcare policy promises to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) providing coverage up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.

Benefits of the scheme are portable across the country and a beneficiary covered under the scheme will be allowed to take cashless benefits from any public/private empanelled hospitals across the country.

The scheme is entitlement based, with the entitlement decided on the basis of deprivation criteria in the Socio-Economic and Caste Census database. The beneficiaries can avail the facilities in both public as well as empanelled private healthcare centres.

-- ANI

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