Independence Day LIVE: Mallikarjun Kharge Cites 'Eye-Related Problem' For Absence From Flag Hoisting Event At Red Fort

On the occasion of the 77th Independence Day, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday appealed to people of the state to end violence and live together peacefully as before.

"He also called on the people of the strife-torn state to restore peace and normalcy.

"I wish you a very happy 77th Independence Day. I convey my message to the people of the state to restore peace and normalcy. I appeal to all to end violence and live together peacefully as before," Singh said after hoisting the National Flag at the First Manipur Parade Ground.

Even as his absence from the flag hoisting event at the Red Fort raised the hackles in the ruling BJP at the Centre, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday raised the tricolour at the AICC headquarters in the national capital.

"Firstly, I have some eye-related problems. Secondly, I had to hoist the tricolour at my residence at 9.20 am, as per protocols. Then I had to come to the Congress office and hoist the tricolour there as well. So, I could not have arrived here on time (if he had attended the main event). Such were the security arrangements around the Red Fort that I wouldn't have been able to leave the main even before PM Modi," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said,  "Your country has achieved universally acknowledged success in economic, scientific and technical, social and other fields. India enjoys well-earned respect on the world arena and plays important constructive role in the international affairs."

"We attach great importance to the relations of the special and privileged strategic partnership with New Delhi. I am confident that with joint efforts we will further enhance fruitful bilateral cooperation in all areas and constructive partnership in solving topical issues of regional and global agenda. This, undoubtedly, meets the core interests of our friendly nations and contributes to security and stability of the planet," he added as quoted by ANI.

More than 88 million selfies of people from across the country with the national flag were uploaded on the central government's Har Ghar Tiranga website till 12 noon on Tuesday under the three-day campaign being run since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fresh clarion call on Sunday.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on the ocassion of Independence Day hailed the PM Modi-led government and called for everyone's efforts to make country a 'global superpower.

"PM has called for us to take India to the top globally, in terms of development. We are the fastest-growing economy. Right now, we are at fifth position and we have to move to the third position. That is why, we will go ahead by working hard and through the welfare of villages, poor, labourers and farmers," he said.

"We will make all efforts to make the country a global superpower. This is the pledge we all should take today. This will be the most appropriate in its true sense," he added.

Indian Coast Guard’s Commandant Anurag Shukla was awarded with the Tatrakshak Medal for Gallantry on Independence Day, for leading an operation off Gujarat’s Okha coast in December last year. A Pakistani boat with 10 crew members was caught with narcotics worth Rs 300 crores and weapons, in the operation.

Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' extended best wishes and greetings to PM Narendra Modi and citizens of India, on 77th Independence Day. 

"On the auspicious occasion of the 77th Independence Day of India, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to PM Narendra Modi ji and to the friendly people of India for continued peace, progress and prosperity," he posted on X.

Biswa Sarma hoisted the Tiranga and participated in Independence Day celebrations in Guwahati.,

#WATCH | Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma hoisted the Tiranga and participated in #IndependenceDay celebrations in Guwahati. pic.twitter.com/m8ENZdYiZL, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hoisted the national flag in the state on the occasion of Independence Day. UP CM yogi Adityanath also celebrated 76 years of independence and hoisted the Tiranga.

Watch:,

#WATCH | Bihar CM Nitish Kumar participated in the #IndependenceDay celebrations at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, today. pic.twitter.com/NZHd9FkXOG, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hoisted the Tiranga at his residence in Lucknow this morning, on #IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/APwmXFp1G7, — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 15, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that corruption and appeasement politics have damaged the country and noted that political parties who believe in dynastic politics have one mantra – “party of the family, by the family and for the family”.

Attacking Congress he said,"Parivarvaad' and appeasement have caused immense damage to the country. How can a political party have only one family in charge? For them, their life mantra is 'Party of the family, by the family and for the family."

Addressing countrymen from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the 10th time since taking the country's highest office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the borders were "far more secure than ever before".

"Today our borders are far more secure. I extend my heartfelt wishes to my jawans, who are patrolling, keeping vigil, and securing our borders, as well as other security forces on our 77th Independence Day," PM Modi said.

As PM Modi concluded his speech on Independence Day, balloons in the colours of the Tiranga were released at Red Fort. Watch:,

#WATCH | Balloons in the colours of the Tiranga released, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi.#IndependenceDay2023 pic.twitter.com/2r0Hev9GoX, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023

PM Modi on Tuesday guaranteed that India will be among the top three economies in the world in the next 5 years.,

#WATCH | It is Modi’s guarantee that India will be among the top three economies in the world in the next 5 years, says PM Modi on #IndependenceDay2023 pic.twitter.com/kMRVpyVoCv, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023

PM Modi while addressing the event said, "After Covid19 pandemic, a new world order, a new geo-political equation is taking shape. The definition of geopolitics is changing. Today, the ability of 140 crores of can be seen in the shaping of the new world order."

Independence Day 2023 Celebration LIVE: PM Narendra Modi Speech News Updates: Addressing the event, PM Modi spoke about the loss of lives and properties across the country due to natural calamities and said, "This time, natural calamity has created an unimaginable crisis in several parts of the country. I express my sympathies to all families who faced this."

Pm Modi hoisted the national flag at Red Fort. He will soon begin his speech. Watch:,

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoists the National Flag at the Red Fort in Delhi, on #IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/lO3SRCM7kZ, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023

PM Modi Speech Live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag on Red Fort at nearly 7:30 am. Soon after the flag hoisting, helicopters showered rose petals. Watch:,

#WATCH | IAF helicopter showers flower petals after flag hoisting by PM Modi at Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day pic.twitter.com/XzDWx1CqPZ, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023

CJI DY Chandrachud and Union Home Minister Amit Shah greeted each other soon after arriving at Red Fort for the Independence Day celebrations. Watch:,

#WATCH | CJI DY Chandrachud and Union Home Minister Amit Shah greet each other at Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations pic.twitter.com/3EhYKb9GXC, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspected the Guard of Honour at Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day. Watch:,

#WATCH | PM Modi inspects Guard of Honour at Red Fort on 77th Independence Day pic.twitter.com/rApPoGly4X, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Red Fort at nearly 7:20 am ahead of the celebrations. He will be hoisting the flag at 7:30 am. Watch video:,

#WATCH | PM Modi arrives at Red Fort for Independence Day celebrations pic.twitter.com/e7Tl7l6SPW, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023

Continuing with his turban trend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was captured in a yellow turban ahead of leaving his residence for the 77th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort.,

#WATCH | PM Modi at his official residence before leaving for Rajghat in Delhi#IndependenceDay2023 pic.twitter.com/msAoYOAepm, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023

Six remote villages in the Naxalite-infested Bastar region of Chhattisgarh will witness the hoisting of the national flag for the first time since the country's independence, reported news agency PTI.

The Indian flag is a horizontal tricolour of Saffron (Kesariya) at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom, all in equal proportion. It also consists of the national emblem of the country, Ashok Chakra, in the centre of the white band.

The saffron colour of the national flag represents the strength and courage of the country. The white in the middle is a symbol of peace while the green colour symbolises fertility, prosperity and auspiciousness of the land.

The proposal for the Indian national flag flag was made by Mahatma Gandhi to the Indian National Congress in the year 1921. However, it was designed by Pingali Venkayy.

Gallantry awards include four Kirti Chakra (posthumous), 11 Shaurya Chakras, including five posthumous, two Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 52 Sena Medals (Gallantry), three Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) and four Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

President Droupadi Murmu has approved 76 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the occasion of 77th Independence Day, said an official statement.

Visuals shared by the news agency ANI show police officials checking vehicles as security tightened up across the national capital on the occasion of Independence Day celebrations. Watch:,

#WATCH | Delhi: Police personnel check vehicles as security tightened up across the national capital on the occasion of Independence Day celebrations.

(Visuals from Chilla Border & Mayur Vihar area) pic.twitter.com/dmdwFb26MQ, — ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2023

Several iconic buildings and monuments were captured and illuminated in the Tricolours lights ahead of Independence Day including Media Tree in Tamil Nadu, Varanasi Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad's Charminar, Howrah Bridge and Victoria Memorial in West Bengal among several others.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations on the occasion of 77th Independence Day from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort.