Independence Day 2026 Live Updates: In 12 years, India transformed from 'Fragile 5' to world's fastest-growing major economy, says Modi
LIVE UPDATES
Jharkhand job aspirants hold ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Ranchi on 22nd day of protest
Students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations organised a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Ranchi on Independence Day. The march, held on the 22nd day of their ongoing agitation, began at the protest site near Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and concluded at Albert Ekka Chowk.
Thousands of job aspirants and members of the public participated in the march, carrying the national flag and raising patriotic slogans including ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’.
CJP to launch movement to check health facilities in public hospitals: Abhijeet Dipke
CJP to launch campaign to assess public hospital facilities, says Abhijeet DipkeNepal PM Balendra Shah extends Independence Day greetings to PM Modi and Indian people
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Saturday (August 15) extended his greetings and best wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India on the occasion of the country’s 80th Independence Day.
Mr. Shah’s message comes as Nepal seeks to further strengthen its ties with India, particularly through increased economic cooperation and improved connectivity with its neighbouring country. - PTI
Kharge on Independence Day: ‘Nehru contributed greatly but never showed arrogance’
In its early years, the Institute operated on an annual budget of just ₹3 lakh and faced severe shortages, particularly of teachers. With the faculty crunch making it difficult for Jagat Murari to keep the institute running, he came up with an innovative solution: bringing some of the country’s finest filmmakers to Pune as guest faculty.
Directors including David Lean, Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Raj Kapoor, Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, among others, visited the FTII campus. Renowned cinematographers such as R.D. Mathur, known for Mughal-e-Azam, and Ray’s frequent collaborator Subrata Mitra also joined the teaching programme. Actors Kamini Kaushal and Balraj Sahni taught acting. In the academic year 1963-64 alone, Murari brought in 50 guest lecturers.
Mehbooba Mufti urges Centre to assess whether India has lived up to Constitution’s vision
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday (August 15, 2026) urged the BJP-led government at the Centre to introspect on whether the country has truly fulfilled the vision and principles enshrined in the Constitution.
“The BJP government at the Centre should think if, after 80 years, we have realised the dream of India as envisioned in the Constitution,” Ms. Mufti told reporters after attending the Independence Day function at Bakshi Stadium.
Her remarks came in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to all political parties to support the implementation of women’s reservation in Parliament and State assemblies without turning the issue into a political contest. - PTI
Deputy CM K. Pawan Kalyan says India needs informed citizens, not blind followers, for a strong democracy
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan urged the youth to think critically before believing information, question before following others and make informed decisions after proper inquiry.
Addressing the youth after hoisting the national flag at the 80th Independence Day celebrations at District Police Grounds in Kakinada city on Saturday (August 15, 2026), Mr. Kalyan said, “In the era of technology, information is reaching the people at good speed, but speed is not truth. For a strong democracy, the country needs informed citizens and not blind followers”.
Kerala CM: Secularism, democratic values and equality are our key strengths and pillars
Addressing the State after hoisting the national flag at the Independence Day celebrations at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday (August 15, 2026), Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan urged people to become “guardians and fighters of a strong democracy founded on open-mindedness, tolerance, debate, self-correction and innovation.”Arunachal CM vows to rebuild state better after natural calamity devastates region
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday (August 15, 2026) pledged to rebuild the State in a stronger and better way after floods caused widespread devastation across the region. He also announced an investment of ₹7,834 crore between 2026 and 2029 to improve roads, rural connectivity and other critical infrastructure.
Hoisting the Tricolour at Indira Gandhi Park on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day, Khandu said the recent natural disasters had highlighted the urgent need for safer and more resilient infrastructure in the frontier State. - PTI
CJI Surya Kant: India’s freedom struggle was distinct from those in other colonies
Speaking at an Independence Day event at the Supreme Court, CJI Surya Kant highlighted the distinct nature of India’s freedom struggle. He said, “If you look back, understand that India’s struggle for independence was different from the freedom struggles that had proceeded in other colonies. Ours was not primarily an armed insurrection. It was instead a sustained challenge to the legitimacy of colonial rule through political movements, petitions, public debates and most importantly, through the language of law.”CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke hoists national flag at his native village in Maharashtra
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke hoisted the national flag at his native village in Maharashtra on August 15, 2026. Speaking on the occasion, Dipke said government-run schools across India continue to face neglect regardless of which political party is in power. He also announced the launch of the ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign from Hingoli in Maharashtra to highlight and address issues affecting government schools.