PM Modi hoists tricolour at Red Fort, condoles death of people in recent floods

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hoisted the national flag on the 73rd Independence Day at the ramparts of the historic Red Fort in Delhi.

PM Modi, dressed in a white kurta-pyjama and a colourful turban, was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Red Fort. He then inspected Guard of Honour.

In his address to the nation from the rampart of the Red Fort, the prime minister condoled the death of people in recent floods and assured affected people of all help.

"The country is reeling under floods and heavy rains in some parts, I express my empathy," said PM Modi.

"Today when the country wakes up to yet another independence day, there are many affected due to floods. Bodies such as NDRF are fighting to resolve such issues. I want to reach out to everybody," he added.

He also talked about various welfare schemes that his government has launched for the welfare of the common man.

"In the last five years, we tried to improve the ease of living. We will work harder in the next five years,” he said.

This is PM Modi's sixth Independence Day speech and the first after returning to power with a massive mandate, from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

Before coming to Red Fort, he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.