As India celebrates its 70th Independence Day today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech stresses on self-sufficiency and the common man's progress. Excerpts:

March from self-governance to good-governance is a resolve of entire nation, it will need sacrifices.

There was a time when the govt was shrouded by allegations but now the govt is surrounded by expectations.

Construction of rural roads increased to 100 kms a day from 70-75 km a day.

4 crore new LPG connections given in 60 weeks as against 14 crore connections given in past 60 years.

Laying of power transmission lines increased to 50,000 kms in a year from 30,000-35,000-km earlier.

Electricity has reached 10,000 villages out of 18,000 unelectricified villages.

LED bulbs being sold at Rs 50 each against Rs 350 previously; 13 crore bulbs distributed, target is 77 crore. 77 crore LED bulbs can save 20,000 MW of electricity worth Rs 1.25 lakh crore.

Rs 20,000 cr saved through renegotiation of gas import deal with Qatar.

We have brought inflation rate below 6%; I will continue to work to ensure food plate of poor is not affected by inflation.

90 shut irrigation schemes will be revived; 77,000 solar pumps distributed to bring down input cost of farmers.

Food godowns with 15 lakh tonne capacity built; emphasis on food processing: Aim is to help double farmers’ income by 2022.

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

Emphasis on revival of 118 stuck projects worth Rs 7.5 lakh crore.

99.5% of past dues of sugarcane farmers have been cleared; 95% of sugarcane sold this season has been paid for to farmers.

About 50 lakh free LPG connections released in 100 days; target of 5 cr connections can be achieved earlier than scheduled 3 years.

GST will strengthen economy; all parties are to be thanked for its passage.

Our social unity is most important; division in the name of caste, creed hurts the country. Need to rise above all these issues.

A strong country cannot be build without a strong society which is based on social justice.

Tough and “sensitive” approach is required to tackle the age—old social evils whether it is castism or untouchability.

The country will not yield to terrorism and extremism, asserts PM, asks youth to shun violance and return to mainstream.

PM targets Pak; says they glorify terrorists who attack us while India cried when children were killed in terror attack on Peshawar.

PM announces 20 per cent increase in pension of Freedom fighters.

Government to bear up to Rs 1 lakh healthcare expenses annually for BPL families.

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