Latest Updates on Independence Day 2024

Efforts were made to diminish & distort Sardar Patel's legacy: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah pointed out that it was due to Sardar Patel's vision and political skill that regions such as the Lakshadweep Islands, Junagarh, and Hyderabad became part of India

Ukraine marks its 33rd Independence anniversary as war against Russia rages

A somber atmosphere pervades Ukraine's 33rd Independence Day Saturday, as the nation's war against Russia's aggression reaches a 30-month milestone. No fireworks, parades or concerts are planned and instead Ukrainians will mark the day with commemorations for civilians and soldiers killed in the war. Ukrainians have flooded social media with messages of gratitude and support, greeting each other and thanking the soldiers on the front lines. In the outpouring of unity, there's a shared acknowledgment that the two-and-a-half years have been tough, with fatigue increasingly setting in. Independence is the silence we experience when we lose our people, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said to the nation. Independence descends into the shelter during an air raid, only to endure and rise again and again to tell the enemy: You will achieve nothing. Zelenskyy pointed out that the war started by Russia has now spread to its own territory. Those who seek to sow evil on our land will reap its ...

Pawar slams PM's 'one nation, one election' pitch during I-Day speech

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Monday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address in which the latter pitched for 'one nation, one election'. Addressing the nation on the 78th Independence Day, PM Modi had said frequent elections were creating hurdles in the progress of the nation and asserted "the country has to come forward for one nation, one election". Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar said, "PM Modi was insisting on holding all elections simultaneously but the very next day, there is announcement of three different poll dates for three different states. The PM talks about one thing while the system takes another decision." The Election Commission last week announced the poll schedule for Haryana and Jammu-Kashmir. Asked if Maharashtra polls may be held in December due to the state government's Ladki Bahin Yojana and if there was chance of President's Rule in the state, Pawar said it was a question that must be directed ...

Retailers cheer as fresh stock flies off shelves during I-Day long weekend

Fresh merchandise flew off shelves for retailers during the long weekend

NYC mayor mixes up India with Pak in remarks at Independence Day event

In a gaffe, New York City Mayor Eric Adams referred to India and its diaspora community as Pakistan' in his remarks at an Indian Independence Day celebration in Queens. Adams was addressing members of the Indian-American community at the Queens 9th India Day Parade on Saturday. The stage from where he addressed the diaspora was decorated with Indian flags, balloons in hues of the tricolour and banners that read Mayor Adams Celebrates the Indian Community'. Adams himself was holding the Indian tricolour and the American flag and was surrounded by members of the Indian diaspora waving Indian flags, wearing tricolour sashes and tricolour-themed attire. However, during his remarks, as he spoke about the diaspora community, Adams mixed up India with Pakistan thrice. "We raised the flag earlier this week at Bowling GreenAnd I think no greater symbol of what you offer to this community than the men and women who are part of the law enforcement community, who are here, the Pakistani office

India a global leader in breakthrough innovations: Bill Gates on I-Day

India is a global leader with breakthrough innovations, American businessman and Microsoft founder Bill Gates has said as he joined Indian Americans to celebrate the first ever India Independence Day celebrations of the newly-opened Indian Consulate in Seattle. Bill Gates, chairman of the Gates Foundation, flagged off the first India Day celebrations in the Greater Seattle area as Consulate General of India as Seattle's Guest of Honor, on India's 78th Independence Day, a media release said. Addressing the nearly 2,000 plus members of the Indian American community, he referred to India as a global leader with breakthrough innovations in areas like technology, agriculture and healthcare. Gates further said, From manufacturing safe low-cost vaccines to the remarkable leadership shown by the Indian diaspora to India's Digital Public Infrastructure India's ingenuity is helping not just Indians, but the whole world. Countries across the Global South are leveraging India's experience to .

BSP chief Mayawati terms PM Modi's I-Day speech 'very disappointing'

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his Independence day speech and called it 'very disappointing.' In a post on X in Hindi, Mayawati said, "The PM also forgot to remember the assurance given to the BJP MPs in this regard, whereas the SC-ST sections of the country have a bigger complaint than the Congress about adopting such a casteist attitude, because this party, like the BJP, has maintained silence till now on their sub-classification and division, which is unfair." She said, "The speech given by the PM from the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day was quite long, but very disappointing in terms of protecting the rights of crores of Dalits and tribals to reservation etc., whereas this is a very important and burning issue after the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 1 August 2024," posted Mayawati on her official handle on 'X' in Hindi. In another post, she said, "Is it right for the PM to call the ...

Govt did not honour LoP's post during Independence Day event: Sharad Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Friday hit out at the Centre over Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi not being allotted a front-row seat at the Independence Day event, accusing it of not honouring the post of LoP. Addressing party workers of the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi, Pawar said the threat to the Constitution is still not over even if the BJP did not get majority in the Lok Sabha polls. The Centre did not honour the post of Leader of Opposition, Pawar said. The Leader of Opposition was made to sit in the back row, said the NCP (SP) chief. The Congress on Thursday said making Gandhi sit in the fifth row at the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pettiness and lack of respect for democratic traditions. Pawar said that when he was the leader of the opposition during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure, his seating arrangement at the I-Day event was alongside the cabinet ministers. He recalled that when ...

ANC pays tribute to PVC awardees with 78-swimmers 'Independence Day Swim'

The ceremony also saw the presence of Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, Commander in Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), who marked the end of the expedition

India's Independence Day celebrated with enthusiasm across New York City

The hues of the Indian tricolour, India's rich cultural heritage and strong bilateral relations with the US resonated across the city as the country's 78th Independence Day was celebrated here with patriotic fervour. A slew of events commemorating India's Independence Day were held across the city on Thursday highlighting the strong people-to-people ties between India and the US as well as India's rich heritage. Flag hoisting ceremonies were held at the Consulate General of India in New York, Permanent Mission of India to the UN, Times Square and lower Manhattan in the presence of members of the Indian diaspora and city officials. Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, who was in the city before travelling on to Latin America, addressed members of the diaspora at the flag hoisting ceremony in the Consulate and Times Square. Leading diaspora organisation Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT-NE (FIA) held a special Independence Day celebration at the iconic N

78th Independence Day: State CMs list achievements, set new targets

On the occasion of the 78th Independence Day, chief ministers across India announced welfare schemes, and reiterated their resolve to fulfil their governments' pending agendas.

Need competition among states to attract investors, says PM Modi

The PM called for steps to be taken to promote ease of living on a mission mode to ensure that common people have access to an affordable, dignified lifestyle and basic amenities

PM Modi announces 75,000 new medical seats in next 5 years in I-Day speech

Need to develop education system, ensure youth no longer forced to study abroad, says PM Modi

Russian Prez Putin underlines commitment to strong partnership with India

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday extended warm wishes to India on its Independence Day, underlining Moscow's commitment to strengthening the particularly "privileged strategic partnership" between the two nations. "For 77 years of independent development, your country has achieved universally recognised successes in socio-economic, scientific, technological and many other spheres and gained high prestige in the world arena," Putin said in a statement addressed to his Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of India's Independence Day. "We attach great importance to the relations of a particularly privileged strategic partnership with India. I am confident that the consistent implementation of the agreements reached following our recent talks in Moscow will contribute to the further development of multifaceted Russian-Indian cooperation," he was quoted as saying in the statement by state-run TASS news agency. According to Putin,

India's skilled workforce can play key role in global job market: PM Modi

In July, the Union Budget announced a set of five schemes at a cost of Rs 2 trillion for skilling and employment as part of the Prime Minister's package

Macron, Putin to Kuwait Amir, world leaders wish India on 78th I-Day

French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among the world leaders who greeted India's leadership and the people of India as the country celebrated its 78th Independence Day on Thursday. While most of the leaders from the South Asian neighbouring countries invoked enduring friendship rooted in history and strengthening of bilateral relations when they greeted their counterparts, presidents and prime ministers from other regions spoke about strategic ties and regional ethos. French President Macron, in his message on X said, he remembers the warm welcome during his visit to India in January and that he is looking forward to working with my friend @NarendraModi on achieving the ambitious goals we have set for our strategic partnership. Russian President Putin sent a message of greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of India's Independence Day. We attach great importance to the relations of a particularly .

India's coach Gautam Gambhir wishes citizens on 78th Independence Day

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said that every Indian who does their job with "honesty and sincerity" are a key player for "Team India"

Cong targets PM Modi for LoP Gandhi's seat in 5th row in I-Day event

The Congress on Thursday said that making Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi "sit in the fifth row" at the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "pettiness" and lack of respect for democratic traditions. The opposition party's attack came after sources involved in organising of the event said all seating arrangements were done "as per the table of precedence". They said it was decided this year that "Paris Olympics medal winners" would be honoured as special guests at the Independence Day celebrations. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate claimed that Prime Minister Modi is a person with a "petty mindset" and he keeps giving proof of that himself. "It is futile to expect big things from small-minded people. Narendra Modi certainly showed his frustration by making Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi sit in the fifth row during the Independence Day celebrations, but this does not make any difference to Rahul Gandhi and h