78th Independence Day Highlights: Principles, ideals of freedom movement under threat, says Mamata Banerjee

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said tendencies that stoke discord based upon perceived social hierarchies have to be rejected.

. The tricolour is hoisted on Independence Day to symbolise the birth of a nation and India's freedom from the British rule.

. As the nation approaches its Independence Day celebrations, all eyes will be on Prime Minister Narendra Modi

. "PM's address to the nation on Independence Day is kind of a declaration of intent of the government's past achievements and the roadmap ahead," Singh said.

. "Every citizen of India should get involved in every manner to unify India. So, at many places all across the districts, we organised 'Har Ghar Tiranga' under the guidance of PM Modi successfully," said Singh.

. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Indian Olympic contingent at his residence on Thursday.

. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for bringing one lakh youth without any political lineage into politics as public representatives at various levels, saying it will help end casteism and dynasty politics.

He said these youth whose families are not connected to politics could join any party of their choice and the induction of fresh blood would mean "new thinking" and "new capabilities".

Modi's remarks during the Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort came at a time political parties, including the ruling BJP, are facing criticism over choosing leaders from dynasties and not giving opportunities for the younger generation. In his third term, Modi also chose to continue with most of his old ministers.

It also comes at a time when the average age of MPs of the 18th Lok Sabha is 56 years, the highest in India's Parliamentary history. While the first Lok Sabha (1952-57) had MPs with an average age of 46 years, it rose to 54 years in the 17th Lok Sabha (2019-24).

“One of the missions is that we want to bring forward one lakh youth as people's representatives in the political life of the country at the earliest. In the beginning, we want to bring forward one lakh such youth whose family members have no political background, whose parents, siblings, uncles, maternal uncles and maternal aunts have never been in politics,” he said.

Such talented youths, fresh blood should come so that there is freedom from casteism, freedom from nepotism and democracy prospers, he said.

“It is not necessary that they go to one party, they should go to the party they like…The country should decide that in the coming days, one lakh such youngsters, such fresh blood, whose families are not connected with politics become public representatives so that there will be new thinking and new capabilities,” he said.

. 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 democrat...

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".

. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed regret that the principles and ideals that guided the freedom struggle and are enshrined in the Constitution are now under attack from sectarian political forces.

. Nearly 1,000 people of Indian heritage gathered at the High Commission of India in London on Thursday to celebrate the 78th Independence Day, with music, dance and patriotic chants.

Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, marked the beginning of the event by unfurling the tricolour followed by the National Anthem echoing across India House in Aldwych.

. Director General of Delhi Prisons Satish Golcha announced the grant of remission to more than 1,160 convicts.

. 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.