In pictures: India's 68th birthday celebrations

Published August 15, 2015
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the historic Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations in Delhi, India. - Reuters
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the historic Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations in Delhi, India. - Reuters
School student perform on the occasion of India's Independence day celebrations in Jammu. - AP
School student perform on the occasion of India's Independence day celebrations in Jammu. - AP
Women of Jammu and Kashmir police march on the occasion of India's Independence day celebrations. - AP
Women of Jammu and Kashmir police march on the occasion of India's Independence day celebrations. - AP
School girls throw coloured powder as they perform on the occasion of India's Independence day celebrations in Jammu. - AP
School girls throw coloured powder as they perform on the occasion of India's Independence day celebrations in Jammu. - AP
Cadets from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) celebrate after being awarded the first position in the best marching trophy competition during India's Independence Day celebrations in Chandigarh, India. - Reuters
Cadets from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) celebrate after being awarded the first position in the best marching trophy competition during India's Independence Day celebrations in Chandigarh, India. - Reuters
An Indian participant has his face painted in the colours of the Indian flag during Indian Independence Day celebrations at The Manekshaw Parade Grounds in Bangalore, India. - AFP
An Indian participant has his face painted in the colours of the Indian flag during Indian Independence Day celebrations at The Manekshaw Parade Grounds in Bangalore, India. - AFP
A school girls waves the Indian national flag as she performs on the occasion of India's Independence day celebrations in Jammu. - AP
A school girls waves the Indian national flag as she performs on the occasion of India's Independence day celebrations in Jammu. - AP
Indian artists from the southern state of Telangana perform during celebrations of Independence Day at Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, India. - AFP
Indian artists from the southern state of Telangana perform during celebrations of Independence Day at Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, India. - AFP
An Indian artist from the southern state of Telangana blows a horn during celebrations of Independence Day at Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, India. - AFP
An Indian artist from the southern state of Telangana blows a horn during celebrations of Independence Day at Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, India. - AFP
Indian artists from the southern state of Telangana perform during celebrations of Independence Day at Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, India. - AFP
Indian artists from the southern state of Telangana perform during celebrations of Independence Day at Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, India. - AFP
Indian folk artists from the southern state of Telangana perform during celebrations of Independence Day at Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, India. - AFP
Indian folk artists from the southern state of Telangana perform during celebrations of Independence Day at Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, India. - AFP
Indian artists from the southern state of Telangana watch as a flag is waved during celebrations of Independence Day at Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, India. - AFP
Indian artists from the southern state of Telangana watch as a flag is waved during celebrations of Independence Day at Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, India. - AFP
Indian school-children celebrate after taking part in a ceremony to mark Independence Day in Agartala, India. - AFP Photo
Indian school-children celebrate after taking part in a ceremony to mark Independence Day in Agartala, India. - AFP Photo
40-year-old physically challenged Indian cyclist Binay Kumar Sahu rides his patriotically coloured cycle during Independence Day celebrations in Bangalore, India. - AFP
40-year-old physically challenged Indian cyclist Binay Kumar Sahu rides his patriotically coloured cycle during Independence Day celebrations in Bangalore, India. - AFP
Indian school-children wearing costumes prepare to take part in cultural events during Indian Independence Day celebrations at The Manekshaw Parade Grounds in Bangalore, India. - AFP
Indian school-children wearing costumes prepare to take part in cultural events during Indian Independence Day celebrations at The Manekshaw Parade Grounds in Bangalore, India. - AFP
Indian school-children,  their bodies painted in the colours of the Indian flag cheer as they pose for a group photograph during Indian Independence Day celebrations at The Manekshaw Parade Grounds in Bangalore, India. - AFP
Indian school-children, their bodies painted in the colours of the Indian flag cheer as they pose for a group photograph during Indian Independence Day celebrations at The Manekshaw Parade Grounds in Bangalore, India. - AFP
School children celebrate after being rewarded for their dance performance during India's Independence Day celebrations in Chandigarh, India. - Reuters
School children celebrate after being rewarded for their dance performance during India's Independence Day celebrations in Chandigarh, India. - Reuters
School girls, dressed in traditional attire, perform on the occasion of India's Independence day celebrations. - AP
School girls, dressed in traditional attire, perform on the occasion of India's Independence day celebrations. - AP
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R, wearing turban) greets school children after addressing the nation from the historic Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations in Delhi, India. — Reuters
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R, wearing turban) greets school children after addressing the nation from the historic Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations in Delhi, India. — Reuters

On 15th August, 2015, the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi delivered a speech at Red Fort as the nation celebrated on the occasion of 69th anniversary of India's independence from British rule.

The speech focused on measures his "Team India" had rolled out to include millions of poor Indians in the banking and insurance systems, policies for workers and farmers and successes in the fights against inflation and corruption.

The Indian prime minister sought to shed an image that he governs for big business, vowing to help the poor. His aim was to bolster popularity rather than tackling setbacks to his economic reform plans.

Premier Modi warned that corruption was eating away at India "like a termite" and he pledged his commitment to eradicating graft and poverty.

Below are some of the moments from across India as they celebrate this historic day:

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