New India by 2022: Modi delivers poll slogan from the Red Fort

Prime Minister Narendra Modi put a considerable amount of stress on his "New India" vision for 2022 while delivering his fourth Independence Day speech from the rafters of the Red Fort in New Delhi on Tuesday, August 15.

On the occasion of 70 years of Independence, Modi talked about various aspects of his governance, including demonetisation and the new GST regime.

He also spoke on other government schemes that have been viewed as a success under his regime. 

With less than two years to go before the next Lok Sabha elections — the current government's mandate expires in May 2019, so the next polls must be held in or before April 2019 — the prime minister's stress on "New India by 2022" seemed like a poll slogan all ready to be milked.

On expected lines?

One topic Modi was sure to speak on is terrorism, and another was the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said there would be no going soft on terrorism, but peace would come to J&K only by embracing Kashmiris. 

Although, he made no concrete announcement of any new government scheme, he promised that the crackdown on black money and corruption would continue. 

Live updates

Here are the live updates from the speech:

8:40 am IST: The prime minister has now made his way among the schoolchildren who were attending the programme. The students seem quite happy to meet him, while his security detail has a tough time. 

8:35 am IST: As Modi departs from the Red Fort, he leaves behind some ideas of what to expect in the next two years. More anti-corruption measures is definitely one of them. 

8:30 am IST: And with that, he ends his speech. The hints are very subtly, but they are there. The unifying theme is "New India" for 2022. Can it help the BJP get another mandate in 2019?

8:28 am IST: The youth are in focus again. 

Even the farmers find a mention in Modi's speech.

8:25 am IST: The anti-corruption push will continue, promises Modi. This is him capitalising on the government's crackdown on graft. This could be an election issue in 2019.

8:20 am IST: Modi also says Eastern India will lead development. 

8:18 am IST: "We are taking the nation on a new track (of development) and are moving ahead with speed," says Modi.

He also says more than Rs 1.25 lakh crore black money had been unearthed due to government efforts. Demonetisation added Rs 2 lakh crore to that amount. 

8:15 am IST: "Violence in the name of 'Astha' is not something to be happy about, it will not be accepted in India," he says.

8:12 am IST: "I want to mention those women who have to suffer due to 'Tripe Talaq'. I admire their courage. We are with them in their struggles," says Modi. 

8:10 am IST: We are nurturing our youngsters to be job creators and not job seekers, says Modi.

8:05 am IST: People should run the government, and not the other way around, says the prime minister. 

8 am IST: Modi also mentions crackdown on corruption. 

7:58 am IST: "Na gali se na goli se, parivartan hoga gale laga ke [Neither by harsh words nor bullets — the change will come by embracing Kashmiris]," says Modi about Jammu and Kashmir, adding that there will be no going soft over terrorism. 

7:55 am IST: The poor are joining the mainstream due to government policies, says the prime minister.

"India's stature in the world is rising. The world is with us in fighting the menace of terror. I thank all nations helping us doing so," says the prime minister.

7:52 am IST: "Those who have looted the nation and looted the poor are not able to sleep peacefully today," says Modi.

"GST has shown the spirit of cooperative federalism. The nation has come together to support GST and the role of technology has also helped," he adds.

7:50 am IST: "The world had to recognise our strength when the surgical strikes were carried out," says Modi. He also says security is a priority. 

7:48 am IST: People should move from status quo — "Chalta hai" — towards change and enacting it, says Modi. 

7:45 am IST: The year 2018 will be special for people born in the 21st century. They will determine the future of the century, says Modi. He invites them to build the country from the threshold of adulthood.  

7:42 am IST: "We must go forward with a vision for New India" by 2022, he said. Nobody is too small, says the prime minister. 

7:40 am IST: Modi now talks of how this year is special because it is the milestone anniversary of a number of events, like the Quit India Movement, the Champaran Satyagraha and the establishment of the Sabarmati Ashram. 

7:38 am IST: Modi mentions Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. "We are honoured to be part of a culture that spans from the Mohan with Sudarshan Chakra to the Mohan with the charkha," he says, referencing Krishna and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, or Mahatma Gandhi. 

Modi talks of flooding in various parts of the country and the death of dozens of children in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. "I assure you that we will leave no stone unturned to help the people in such times of strife," he says. 

7:35 am IST: And Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts his Independence Day speech!

7:30 am IST: Modi unfurls the national flag to thunderous applause. The national anthem plays.

7:20 am IST: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Red Fort. He is now receiving the Guard of Honour, and will then unfurl the Tricolour. 

7:10 am IST: Dignitaries — irrespective of political parties — are already in their seats, waiting for Modi to arrive. 

Modi, meanwhile, is at Rajghat, paying homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. 

7 am IST: The prime minister is about to arrive at the venue in a few minutes. Meanwhile, take a look at Independence Day celebrations through the ages.

6:30 am IST: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has hoisted the Tricolour at his residence. 

6 am IST: The sun is just coming up at the Red Fort. The prime minister will be at the venue within the hour.

5:30 am IST: All India Radio will run live commentary of the entire programme, starting with Modi's speech, from 7:05 am.

5 am IST: Ram Nath Kovind, in his first speech as President, has urged people to move towards a "New India" by 2022, when the country celebrates 75 years of Independence.

4:30 am IST: Security has been beefed up in many places across the country ahead of I-Day, especially to prevent terrorist attacks.

4 am IST: It is still a few hours to Modi's speech. In case you want to tune in, you can watch it right HERE.