India celebrates Independence Day

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday announced a six percent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees and pensioners from January 1.

Against the backdrop of recent attacks on Dalits, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said freedom can never be for the few and asked Indians to aspire for a country where ideas are not "crushed violently" by the forces of hate and mediocrity.

In her address after unfurling the national flag at Fort St George on the occasion of the 70th Independence Day, she also announced a Rs 1,000 increase in the freedom fighters pension from Rs 11,000.

As India celebrates its 70th year of Independence, Google dedicated a doodle to the historic "Tryst with Destiny" speech of the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hoisted the national flag here to mark the Independence Day and said that he is committed to the fast development of the state. He said 'Sushasan' (good governance) has been established in Bihar and his government is doing everything for just development.

Greeting India on its 70th Independence Day, the US reaffirmed its pledge to working towards ensuring freedom and justice for "all within our great democracies".

PM greeted 1.25 bn Indians & overseas Indian community.Said Unity in Diversity is our strength#IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/U3uLAOWpgh

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) August 15, 2016

India@70. PM@narendramodi hoists the tricolor at the Red Fort on a very special #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/In3a7JpOa6

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) August 15, 2016

On the occasion of Independence Day, state Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla asked the people of the state to live in peace so that the state could be an example for others to emulate. The state, he said, was celebrating the 30th anniversary of the signing of the historic Mizo Accord this year. The CM said implementation of the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), the flagship programme of the present Congress government, had a strong and positive impact on the state's economy.

Unfurling the national flag at Fort St. George here on Independence Day, Jayalalithaa said: "This day we salute those who fought for the country's freedom. Freedom does not mean just the right to speak, write... True freedom rests in economic freedom." Listing out various measures implemented by her government in education and health, Jayalalithaa also announced an increase in pension payments to freedom fighters and to their families. Jayalalithaa said her government was taking steps for the welfare of farmers and Tamil Nadu had registered a record food grain production of around 130,000 tonnes.

PM @narendramodi interacting with the school children on the occasion of 70th Independence Day at Red Fort, 15.08.16 pic.twitter.com/ZsaMmZhhGq

— PIB India (@PIB_India) August 15, 2016

Digital Rath, a hit in rural India. Uniting people through the power of tech. #DigitalIndia #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/d0R2BdBpSI

— Digital India (@_DigitalIndia) August 15, 2016

#IndependenceDayIndia: Making a #DigitalIndia by giving children, esp. girls, the Power to #Empower. #IndiaAt70 pic.twitter.com/LeeCai3XQi

— Digital India (@_DigitalIndia) August 15, 2016

?? ????, ?? ????, ?? ??????, ?? ?????, ?? ???? ??? ?? ??? ?????: PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

????? ?????????? ??????? ??? ?????????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ???????? ??????: PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

"All those who are killing innocents across border and amid mountains, I want to tell them that this country will not tolerate terrorism and militancy. The road of terrorism does not help anyone. Come back to your parents and fulfill their dreams. This country will never tolerate terrorism," PM Modi said.

??? ?? ????? ????? ??????, ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

"GST will give strength to our economy and all parties are to be thanked for its passage," PM said.

We have connected Aadhar card to government schemes to curb corruption. Koyle ka corruption kaun nahi jaanta, lekin aaj koi daagh nahi hai. We all know about coal scam. However, we auctioned coal online, without any corruption charges levelled against us due to transparency.

We have given impetus to 'per drop, more crop' initiative. I will continue to strive hard to ensure that the this inflation doesn't affect the food plate of poor. We have been blessed with monsoon, this year. Sowing has therefore increased, this will help us meet demand shortfall.