PM Modi's Independence Day speech 2016: Key highlights

New Delhi: In an impressive Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, PM Narendra Modi on Monday said accountability should be at the root of good governance. While concluding his speech, the PM attacked Pakistan for patronising terrorists and infiltrating terror into India. From inflation to women empowerment, the Prime Minister touched on all issues.

Here are the highlights of PM Modi's speech:

We have to move forward from 'Swarajya' to ' Surajya' and this has to be done by 125 crore citizens of this country. 'Surajya' means a qualitative and positive change in the lives of the people.

There are many problems in this country, but we have 1.25 billion minds to solve them.

We want to change the situation where people are scared of income tax authorities, particularly among the middle class families.

I want to change the lives of common people, I am committed to it.

Today, in all the major government hospitals, online registration is available and medical records are also available online.

There was a time when getting a passport was a tedious process and needed strong references, but these days one can get a passport in1-2 weeks.

The government is working to bring in social change; over 70,000 villages are free from open-defecation today.

Due to drought situation in the last 2 years, Govt has faced challenges in terms of price rise. Under the previous government, inflation had crossed 10 percent. We did not let it rise above 6 percent.

If farmers in my country get adequate water, they can turn 'soil' into 'gold' and that's why my government has given importance to save water. We have given impetus to 'per drop, more crop' initiative.

I have tried to adopt the strategy of 'Reform, Perform and Transform' and tried to avoid populism.

We have connected Aadhar card to Govt schemes to curb corruption.

Financial independence of women and her participation is important to fight poverty.

One nation, one grid and one price- we have worked on this.

We have to rise above and fight anti-social elements. Only then we'll be able to progress in real sense. Our social unity is most important; division in the name of caste, creed hurts the country. We need to rise above all these issues.

Our govt gives importance to 'last man delivery'. Instead of isolated development, we are focusing on integrated development.

An empowered India is not possible without an empowered society. Economic progress is not the only measure of an empowered society; a strong society is built on social justice.

More than 35000 soldiers have lost their lives fighting at border so that we can stay peacefully, how can we forget them? My government fulfilled the promise of implementing the 'one rank one pension'.

Freedom from poverty is the biggest independence.

Unity in diversity, this is our strength. Violence has no place in our society.

PM condemned the violence unleashed by Left-Wing extremism and terrorism. Hew said, Country will not yield to terrorism and extremism. He appealed to the youth to shun violence and return to mainstream.

PM Modi denounced Pakistan for harbouring terrorists. He furthr said that the neighbouring country glorifies terrorists who attack us, while India cried when children were killed in terror attack in Peshawar.

I am grateful to the people of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir who have thanked me in the past few days. If people of Balochistan thank me, they are thanking the 125 crore Indians.