Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hoisted the tricolour at the Red Fort on the occasion of Independence Day.
While delivering his first Independence Day speech as the PM, Modi hailed Indian democracy for allowing a person from "an ordinary family" to assume the country`s top post. "It is a tribute to Indian democracy" that a person from "a poor family, an ordinary family is today addressing the nation from the Red Fort," he said. The PM further began his speech by describing himself as the country`s "Pradhan Sevak". "I stand before you today not as the Prime Minister but as the pradhan sevak," he said, adding: "Many, many greetings from the Pradhan Sevak." The Prime Minister also described himself as "an outsider to Delhi". "I am an outsider to Delhi. But an outsider came to Delhi and got an insider view," Modi said.
"I was surprised," he went on. "What I am saying is not about politics." Modi also despaired that after becoming the Prime Minister in May he had realised that "even in one government there were different governments”. "It was as if each had their own jagirs (fiefdom)." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also saluted all those who sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle. "I salute all those who sacrificed themselves for India`s freedom," Modi said.
"The struggle for freedom went on for years, generations sacrificed their lives even at the prime of their youth." Before heading to the Red Fort monument to deliver his maiden Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister paid homage at the Raj Ghat - Mahatma Gandhi`s memorial on the banks of the Yamuna.
(With IANS inputs)