The 77th Independence Day is being celebrated with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm across India and abroad today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the celebrations by hoisting the National Flag and addressing the Nation from the Ramparts of historic Red Fort. The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s achievements and various challenges and opportunities before the nation. In his 10th Independence Day address, Prime Minister Modi exuded confidence that India will become the third-largest economy in the world, in the next 5 years.

The Prime Minister said every rating agency of the world is commending India which has become the world's fifth-largest economy from the 10th rank in 2014. Mr. Modi said, the Triveni of demography, democracy and diversity has the potential to make true every dream of the country. 

About Manipur, Mr. Modi said that peace is slowly returning to the region and the country stands with Manipur.

Independence Day was celebrated in Indian Embassies abroad as well. In Nepal, Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava hoisted the national flag at the Embassy in Kathmandu. He conveyed his greetings to the members of the Indian Diaspora. A video of President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation was played. The Embassy also felicitated widows and next of kin of deceased Gorkha soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces by disbursing their dues worth 5.33 Crore Nepalese Rupees.

In Sri Lanka, the Day was celebrated with enthusiasm in Colombo. A report from our Colombo correspondent:

The 77th Independence Day of India was celebrated by the High Commission of India in Bangladesh today. A large number of Indian community members took part in the celebrations at the Chancery building in Dhaka. High Commissioner, Pranay Verma hoisted the national flag and read out excerpts from the President Droupadi Murmu's address to the Nation. Reports of Independence Day celebrations have also come from Indian Embassies in UAE and Saudi Arabia.