Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Monday on the occasion of India's 70th Independence Day at Red Fort, New Delhi. This is the third time Modi spoke from the ramparts of the Red Fort since he came to power.

Modi first paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat before leaving for Red Fort to address the nation. 

At the fort, he was received by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar following which he proceeded to inspect the Guard of Honour.

PM Modi then walked towards the Lahori Gate to unfurl the national flag from the ramparts of the Red Fort. The flag-hoisting synchronised with the 21 Gun Salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 2281 Field Regiment (Ceremonial) and the national anthem.

PM Modi had previously asked citizens to give him suggestions on what topics to speak on in his address to the nation on this historic day. 

9:20 a.m. IST: The prime minister leaves Red Fort after the conclusion of the 70th Independence Day ceremony.

9:14 a.m. IST: PM Modi stops to meet the 3500 children and the NCC cadets gathered at the Red Fort. Excited children surround him and seek his blessings.

9:10 a.m. IST: PM Modi ends his speech followed by the national anthem.

9:09 a.m. IST: "We did not get an opportunity to die for the country but we have the opportunity to live for the country," PM Modi at Red Fort.

9:07 a.m. IST: "When disease hits a poor family, their lives are destroyed. So we have decided that the government will take up the expenses of up to Rs. 1 lakh so that the poor family can avail of medical facilities," PM Modi.

9:03 a.m. IST: "When innocent children were killed in Peshawar, every school in India cried with them. There were tears in the eyes of every Parliamentarian. This is the example of our humanitarian approach, but there are some countries which are glorifying terrorists," PM Modi at Red Fort.

9:00 a.m. IST: "I am grateful to the people of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan occupied Kashmir for appreciating my efforts to fight against terrorism," PM Modi.

8:57 a.m. IST: "My country will never bow down before terrorism and Maoism. 'Unity in Diversity' is the whole essence of Indian culture. There is no place for violence and atrocities here. I request the youth who have taken to terrorism to come back. There is still time. Look towards the dreams of your parents and shun violence because it will lead you nowhere," PM Modi.

8:53 a.m. IST: "We have made Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's files public because the nation has the right to know the truth. We placed the files before the family so that they could know the truth," PM Modi.

8:50 a.m. IST: "'One Rank One Pension' was stuck for a long time. But we solved the problem. More than 35000 jawans have lost their lives fighting at border so that we can stay peacefully here, how can we forget them? After all, it is because of our brave jawans that we are safe," PM Modi.

8:47 a.m. IST: "The youth have the power to change the face of the country and make it better. We have taken initiatives to increase opportunities for the youth," PM Modi

8:45 a.m. IST: "Social justice forms the foundation of a just society. A nation cannot become great if it does not have a just society," says PM Modi while addressing the nation.

8:43 a.m. IST: "We have worked to achieve "One nation, one grid and one price": PM Modi

8:42 a.m. IST: "Now vendors can sell their vegetable stock online," PM Modi at Red Fort.

8:41 a.m. IST: "The GST Bill will go a long way in India's reform. All parties deserve credit for it.": PM Modi

8:40 a.m. IST: "I need the support of the Indian society for 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' campaign. Every parent needs to send their daughters to school for an education. One educated lady is capable of taking an entire family out of poverty.": PM Modi

8:38 a.m. IST: "The entire world is connected today. We are living in a global economy. We will have to raise our economy globally so that we remain relevant in the world scenario. The entire world has appreciated the progress of our country. Our rankings have improved. India has become one of the favourites when it comes to 'ease of business'.": PM Modi 

8:35 a.m. IST: "There used to be allegations on coal block auctions. Today, it is completely transparent. The nation has benefited." PM Modi

8:33 a.m. IST: "We are trying to revive 'post-offices' in the country which is becoming irrelevant increasingly due to advent of technology.": PM Modi

8:31 a.m. IST: "Reform, perform, transform is the mantra of the government. We value substance over symbolism, integrated development over isolated development, empowerment over entitlement.": PM Modi

8:29 a.m. IST: "We are trying to focus on 'last man delivery' by taking decisions carefully because our policies and intentions are clear.": PM Modi at Red Fort, Delhi.

8:27 a.m. IST: "When there is spasht niyat and saaf niyat then decision-making becomes easier.": PM Modi.

8:24 a.m. IST: "We have given equal importance to the schemes that were introduced by previous governments because it is a part of our karya sanskriti (work culture).": PM Modi.

8:22 a.m. IST: "My government has given importance to improving the image of the nation and not improving the image of the government.": PM Modi

8:19 a.m. IST: "That's why we have given importance to save water. We have given impetus to 'per drop, more crop' initiative.": PM Modi.

8:17 a.m. IST: "If the farmers of India get adequate water, they can turn 'soil' into 'gold': PM Modi

8:15 a.m. IST: "Despite facing drought since two years, the farmers of our country have worked extremely hard to feed the people of this nation.": PM Modi.

8:12 a.m. IST: "We have not let inflation exceed 6 percent since we came to power. Earlier the inflate was at 10 percent. I will not let the country's poor suffer due to price rise.": PM Modi addresses the nation from Red Fort in New Delhi.

8:10 a.m. IST: "LED bulbs that earlier cost Rs 350 each, is now sold at Rs 50 each. We can fight against rise in global warming by using LED bulbs and saving energy.": PM Modi.

8:05 a.m. IST: "Today, 10,000 of the 18,000 villages that did not know what electricity meant, now have access to electricity. Villagers of these villages are watching this programme for the first time today on TV. I congratulate you today on this occasion."

8:03 a.m. IST: "Earlier people would defecate in the open. Since we formed the government, two crore toilets were constructed in 70,000 villages.

8:01 a.m. IST: "We have connected 70 crore Indians to Aadhaar and social security schemes": PM Modi

7:58 a.m. IST: "Both niyat (intent) and neeti (policy) are important for good governance.": PM Modi

7:55 a.m. IST: "Earlier getting a passport would take months. But, now it takes just two weeks.": PM Modi.

7:53 a.m. IST: "Earlier the income tax refund would take forever. But, now it takes just three weeks for the process to complete.": PM Modi

7:51 a.m. IST: "I am determined to change this situation where people are scared of Income Tax authorities": PM Modi

7:50 a.m. IST: "Registration and medical records are available online in all major government hospitals today.": PM Modi

7:49 a.m. IST: "I want to talk more about 'Karya Sanskriti' rather than 'Karya'of the Government.": PM Modi

7:47 a.m. IST: "'Surajya' means the welfare and progress of every individual of the country. It means that the government should be sensitive towards the common man and the weaker sections of society.": PM Modi  Responsibility and accountability are the two important aspects of 'Surajya'.": PM Modi

7:44 a.m. IST: "It is our responsibility to convert 'Swaraj' (self-rule) into 'Surajya' (good governance).": PM Modi.

7:43 a.m. IST: "If India has problems to deal with, it also has 125 crore people who have the ability to deal with those problems.": PM Modi

7:42 a.m. IST: "Every democratic institution will have to fulfill its responsibilities if we wish to fulfill our dream of attaining Swaraj for India.": PM Modi

7:39 a.m. IST: "Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel united the nation. It is our responsibility to make our nation great.": PM Modi

7:37 a.m. IST: "It is because of the sacrifice of freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Pandit Nehru and many others that we attained Swarajya.": PM Modi

7:35 a.m. IST: "I wish all Indians living here and abroad a very Happy Independence Day," PM Modi says while addressing the nation.

7:33 a.m. IST: PM Modi will now address the nation.

7:31 a.m. IST: PM Modi unfurls the national flag at the Red Fort while the band plays the national anthem.

7:28 a.m. IST: The tri­colour will be unfurled along with a 21 Gun Salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 2281 Field Regiment (Ceremonial).

7:22 a.m. IST: PM Modi walks towards the Lahori Gate following which he will unfurl the national flag and address the nation.

7:21 a.m. IST: PM Modi inspects the Guard of Honour. The Guard of Honour contingent consists of one officer and 24 men each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police. It will be commanded by Wing Commander K Srinivasan of the Indian Air Force.

7:20 a.m. IST: PM Modi is received by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre and Defence Secretary Shri G Mohan Kumar.

7:18 a.m. IST: PM Modi arrives at Red Fort. 

7:12 a.m. IST: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and his wife Gursharan Kaur, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Justice of India TS Thakur have arrived at the Red Fort.

7:10 a.m. IST: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

7:05 a.m. IST: Political leaders and the public have begun gathering at the Red Fort in New Delhi. The PM will speak shortly.

6:54 a.m. IST: Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, BJP President Amit Shah, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad have arrived at the Red Fort. 

6:45 a.m. IST: PM Modi has also wished the nation through his Twitter account while Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh has hoisted the Indian flag at his residence.

6:30 a.m. IST: Last-minute arrangements are in full swing at the Red Fort in New Delhi. People are also gathering at Rajpath for the celebrations.

6:15 a.m. IST: Hi guys, and welcome to the live updates of the entire Independence Day function from New Delhi. It's a crisp August morning, so expect a great day ahead!