Independence Day 2018 Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurls the Tricolour; addresses nation from Red Fort

On the eve of 72nd Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had arrived at the Red Fort in New Delhi and unfurled the Tricolour. PM Modi begins his speech to the nation. Well, this Independence Day speech will be PM Narendra Modi's fifth and final address of his current tenure. PM Modi will focus to highlight the achievements of the NDA-led BJP government in his addressing speech. He will also announce his flagship health policy–National Health Protection Scheme or Aayushman Bharat.

Aayushman Bharat will be launched on a pilot basis in some states, with the full-scale roll-out of PM Modi's pet project expected in September end, sources said. PM Modi in his last four years sought ideas from the people for his Independence Day 2018 speech. According to MyGov.in, some of the suggestions on the website revolve around the issues of rape, open defecation, reservation system and education.

A special team of NSG snipers and commandos formed the inner layer of the security cordon at Red Fort on the occasion of 72nd Independence Day. Even anti-aircraft guns have been deployed to prevent any aerial intrusion by objects like drones and projectiles.

Live Updates of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address India on 72nd Independence Day from Red Fort:

08:34 (IST) 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 proper access to good quality and affordable healthcare, says PM Modi

08:26 (IST) As significant as economic growth, is dignity of the individual. Our schemes such as Ujjwala and Saubhagya Yojana are enhancing the dignity of fellow Indians, says PM Modi 

08:24(IST) With a 'Beej Se Bazar Tak' approach, we are bringing exceptional reforms in the agriculture sector. Our aim is to double farmer incomes by 2022, says PM Modi 

08:21 (IST) "India is proud of our scientists, who are excelling in their research and are at the forefront of innovation. In the year 2022 or if possible before, India will unfurl the tricolour in space," PM Narendra Modi

(IST) From being seen as among the fragile five, India is now the land of reform, perform and transform. We are all set for record economic growth, says PM Narendra Modi

08: 15(IST) "Jab honsle buland hote hain, desh ke liye kuch karne ka irada hota hai toh benami sampati ka kanoon bhi lagu hota hai," Prime Minister Narendra Modi 

08: 13 (IST) The OROP demand was also pending for decades. People of India, our brave Army personnel had faith in us and we were able to take a decision on OROP.We will always take decisions in the interests of our nation, says PM Narendra Modi

08:12 (IST) Who did not want the GST to be passed, 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, says PM Narendra Modi 

08:11 (IST) "Humari desh ki sena kahin par bhi prakritik aapda ho pahunch jati hai, sankat se ghere maanv ki raksha ke liye humari sena karuna,maya,mamta ke saath pahunch jaati hai, wahi sena jab sankalp karke chal padhti hai toh surgical strike karke dushmano ke daant khatte kar aati hai," PM Modi

08:08 (IST) 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 blessings of the farmers, the decision on MSP was taken by our Government, says PM Modi

08:05 (IST) 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, says PM Modi

08:02 (IST) 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 realize the unbelievable strides the nation has taken, says PM Modi

07:58 (IST) "2014 se ab tak main anubhav kar raha hun ki sawa sau crore deshwasi sirf sarkaar banakar ruke nahi, woh desh banane mein jutte hue hain," says PM Narendra Modi 

07:51 (IST) The Constitution given to us by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar has spoken about justice for all. We have to ensure social justice for all and create an India that is developing rapidly, says PM Modi 

07:49 (IST) 100 years of Jallianwala Bagh massacre:

Next year on Baisakhi, it will be 100 years of Jallianwala Bagh massacre. I pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives, says PM Narendra Modi

07:44(IST): Many parts of the nation witnessed good monsoon but at the same time parts of India have been severely hit by floods. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in these floods, in various parts of India, says PM Modi 

07:42(IST): PM Modi talks about the success of Parliament Monsoon session

The recently concluded monsoon session of Parliament was one devoted to social justice. The Parliament session witnessed the passage of the bill to create an OBC Commission, says PM Narendra Modi

07:35 (IST) We are proudly celebrating #IndependenceDay today as six women officers of the Indian Navy, circumnavigated the globe recently, says PM Narendra Modi

07:32 (IST) PM Narendra Modi begins the fifth and final address of his current tenure 72nd Independence Day from Red Fort

07:30 (IST): Prime Minister Narendra Modi had arrived at the Red Fort in New Delhi and unfurled the Tricolour. PM Modi begins his speech to the nation.

Also read: Independence Day 2018 Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurls the Tricolour; addresses nation from Red Fort