'Secular civil code' need of the hour, says PM Modi in his Independence Day address: Top quotes

In his address to the nation on Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the freedom fighters who made sacrifices for the nation. "Today is the day to pay tributes to the uncountable 'Azaadi ke deewane' who made sacrifices for the nation. This country is indebted to them," Modi said in his address to the nation from Red Fort.

Here are the top quotes from his speech:

• The country is indebted to freedom fighters, it is a day to remember their sacrifices, says Modi
• We are capable of making India developed nation by 2047 with our resolve
• 'Viksit Bharat 2047' are not mere words, they are reflection of resolve and dreams of 140 crore people
• We are proud that we carry the blood of the 40 crore people who had uprooted the colonial rule from India
• Today, we are 140 crore people, if we resolve and move together in one direction, then we can become 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 by overcoming all obstacles in the way
• Our concerns have been mounting due to the rising natural calamities over the last few years in which several people have lost their family members. Today, I express my sympathy to all of them and I assure them that this nation stands with them in this hour of crisis
• When country's armed forces carry out surgical and air strikes, every Indian is filled with pride
• We were given a huge responsibility and we introduced major reforms on the ground. I would like to assure the countrymen, our commitment to reforms is not limited to pink paper editorials. Our commitment to reforms is not for a few days of appreciation
• In last 10 years, 10 crore women joined women self-help groups. When women become financially independent they become part of the decision-making system in a household leading to social change. Till now, 9 lakh crores have been given to self-help groups in the country
• Be it tourism, education, health, MSME, transport, farming and agriculture sectors- in every sector a new modern system is being created. We want to move forward by adopting best practices by integration of technology
• For working women, maternity leave has been increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks. We not only just respect women, we not only take decisions for her sensitively, we make decisions to ensure that the government does not become a hindrance in the requirements of the mother to make her child a quality citizen
• In the next five years, 75,000 new seats will be created in medical colleges in India. Viksit Bharat 2047 should also be 'Swasth Bharat' and for this, we have started Rashtriya Poshan Mission
• We are becoming self-reliant in the defence sector. Today, we have our own identity in defence equipment manufacturing. India is emerging as a defence manufacturing hub
• Today, many big companies and investors of the world want to invest in India. This is a golden opportunity. I urge the state governments to make clear policies to attract investors and give assurance of good governance and law and order situation to them
• There should be competition between states to attract maximum investors. Their policies should changed or molded as per global requirements
• As a society, we will have to think seriously about the atrocities against women that are happening - there is outrage against this in the country. I can feel this outrage. The country, society, state governments will have to take this seriously
• Speedy investigation of crimes against women, those executing these monstrous deeds be awarded strict punishment at the earliest - this is important to instil confidence in society
• We are becoming self-reliant in the defence sector. Today, we have our own identity in defence equipment manufacturing. India is emerging as a defence manufacturing hub
• In the next few days, a huge contingent of India will leave for Paris to participate in the Paralympics. I extend best wishes to all our Paralympians. It is the dream of India to host 2036 Olympics and we are making preparations for that
• Whatever has happened in Bangladesh, as a neighbour we are worried. We hope things normalise soon, and we want the safety of the minorities and Hindus. We want our neighbours to tread the path of peace and prosperity
• We need to rid India's politics from caste-based and dynastic politics. Soon, we want to bring forward one lakh youth in whose family there are no political associations. They may go in any party, but such fresh blood will strength India's democracy
• Corruption plagued India for years. We have waged war against corruption and we will continue to fight against it
• Supreme Court has held discussions regarding Uniform Civil Code again and again, it has given orders several times. A large section of the country believes - and it is true, that the Civil Code that we are living with is actually a Communal Civil Code in a way
• I would say that it is the need of the hour to that there be a Secular Civil Code in the country. Only then would we be free of the discrimination on the basis of religion, PM Modi said in his address at Red Fort