AKIPRESS.COM - In his maiden Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to work for a new and clean India by shedding the "poison" of communalism and making the country the world's manufacturing hub, the Times of India reports.
Addressing tens of thousands of cheering people gathered at the Red Fort complex on a bright morning, Modi spoke for over an hour, focusing mainly on nation building and underlining the need to forge national consensus on major issues.
In the process, Modi, 63, who took charge of India May 26, outlined his vision for the country, frankly admitting the faults within and calling on neighbouring countries to team up with India to battle poverty.
He also announced a burial of the Planning Commission, saying it was not needed any more. He said a new institution will take its place.