India will unfurl tricolour in space by 2022, says PM Narendra Modi in Independence Day speech

Till now women only had short commission for women. But now, we have brought in  Permanent Commission for Women. Women will now be able to strengthen India along with their male counterparts. However, there are some hurdles in women empowerment. Legal framework is working to help women,' PM Modi said referring to fast-track court proceedings in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for rape cases. 'We need to overpower the forces that hinder the growth of women. For us, the law of the land is supreme.'

India is proud of our scientists, who are excelling in their research and are at the forefront of innovation. In the year 2022 or if possible before, India will unfurl the tricolour in space: PM Narendra Modi

On the 72nd Independence Day, PM Narendra Modi said the government managed to pass the GST and implemented long-pending OROP scheme for the armed forces.

"Who did not want the passage of the GST yet it was pending for years? Last year GST became a reality. I want to thank the business community for the success of the GST," said PM Modi.

"The OROP demand was pending for decades. The people of India, our brave army personnel had faith in us and we were able to take a decision on OROP. We will always take decisions in the interests of our nation," he added.

PM Modi says that even though all processes are the same as before, the "the determination is different". "We introduced MSP after years of inertia. GST was another path-breaking reform.. we were determined to introduce it," he says. 

"We have built toilets and taken electricity to all villages as promised," PM Modi says highlighting that the country has made rapid progress in the last four years. He further said that they have ensured that an LPG gas connection also reached every woman. 

We are proud of what we have achieved and at the same time, we also have to look at where we have come from. That is when we will realised the remarkable strides the nation has made: PM Narendra Modi

Many parts of the nation witnessed a good monsoon but at the same time parts of India have been affected by flooding. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives due to floods in various parts of India: PM Narendra Modi

The Constitution of India, given to us by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar has spoken about justice for all. We have to ensure social justice for all and create an India that is progressing rapidly.

Watch Modi's speech live here: 

As are former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda

Congress President Rahul Gandhi is at the Red Fort

Modi hoists the tricolour, the national anthem plays. He will shortly begin his speech. 

Modi is expected to use the speech to present a "report card of his government"

Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat before his Independence Day speech

Also read: Say you guarantee there will be no attack on those who criticise your govt, Umar Khalid tells Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the country today from Delhi's Red Fort. He will also hoist the Indian flag. 

This is part of tradition. Every Indian prime minister, starting from Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1947, has given his or her Independence Day speech from the Red Fort.