BJP State president Nainar Nagenthran on Sunday (September 20, 2026) condemned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public event and further accused the Congress leader of making a spectacle of himself and lowering the dignity expected in Parliamentary democracy.

In a statement, Mr. Nagenthran alleged that Mr. Gandhi had allegedly ridiculed and mimicked Mr. Modi repeatedly, and that such behaviour followed a series of electoral setbacks.

Mr. Nagenthran also called Mr. Gandhi a “part-time politician”.

Thousands of people walked to the Red Fort early on Saturday morning to celebrate India’s 80th Independence Day, featuring a “Vande Mataram” theme and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address. For many, including families travelling long distances for their first time, the morning was less about the speeches and more about witnessing the historic ceremony in person.

Karuna and Sandeep, in their 30s, travelled from Karnataka with their children, Sayesh (7) and Avesh (5), to attend the celebrations. For Karuna, watching from the Red Fort was unforgettable. “This is my first time attending the Independence Day celebrations. I already have goosebumps,” she said as the Prime Minister began his address.

For Lalita Pal, who hoped to see Mr. Modi in person after her husband’s recent transfer to Delhi, the attraction was more personal. “We have travelled a long way, and what he spoke about children and their future was encouraging. Seeing the Tricolour flying made the whole place feel very patriotic,” she said, noting that despite the humid morning proving difficult for her young son, the family considered it worthwhile.

The celebrations also drew people unaware that entry required passes from the Ministry of Defence’s Aamantran portal, leaving queues stretching into the morning heat outside the Red Fort Metro station. As seats in the allotted areas filled and entry gates closed, some visitors were left waiting outside for more than two hours. Among them was Anita Devi, in her early 30s, who travelled from northwest Delhi’s Bawana by an early morning bus with her husband and son. Dressed in a green saree, she had not known a pass was required but decided to view the decorated fort from outside. “Even if I am standing outside, hearing the national anthem makes me feel proud,” she said.

For the first time, an Army band formally rendered Vande Mataram, with attendees joining in before the national anthem. The song was woven into the visuals; children in white and saffron formed “Vande Mataram” in their seats, while flower petals spelt it on the dais. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the Tricolour, Mi-17 helicopters flew over, releasing flower petals to cheering crowds while carrying flags with national colours and Vande Mataram. Tricolour balloons were released post-speech. Mr. Modi later met schoolchildren, NCC cadets, and My Bharat programme volunteers, underscoring the government’s focus on “Yuva Shakti” and a developed India by 2047.

(With inputs from Shrimansi Kaushik)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s youth-oriented announcements, including AI skilling and free online coaching, at the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort on Saturday drew praise from many young attendees.

Chennai residents Prabakaran and Rudreshwar, who are part of a microchip fabrication project supported by the NITI Aayog, praised the push to include young people in science and technology. “The announcement about the government providing AI training to students is appreciable. It will help the growth of AI-based products and create a talent pool of skilled people needed to bring about an AI revolution in the tech industry,” said Mr. Prabakaran. Both were in the Capital for their project and were first-time attendees at the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort.

Regarding the PM’s speech, Mr. Rudreshwar said, “It would have been easier if other visitors also had access to the audio equipment provided to foreign dignitaries for translation of the speech.”

Some also viewed Mr. Modi’s announcements against the backdrop of the youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar last month.

‘Paper leaks happen’

Seema Chaudhary, who attended the event for the first time with her two children, lauded the PM’s announcements.

Referring to the agitation over the NEET paper leak, she said young people should rise above such issues and focus on building their lives.

“The youth should rise above paper leaks and focus on doing well in life. Paper leaks happen in every government’s tenure. Students have to work hard even if it means appearing for the exams multiple times or choosing a different path in life,” said Ms. Chaudhary, adding, “I would advise my children the same.”

However, not everyone shared her views.

Outside the venue, Sachin stood with vials of saffron, white and green, ready to paint visitors’ faces in the Tricolour for a small fee. “I have appeared for police and clerical-level job exams. But I couldn’t succeed, so I turned to vegetable vending. If everything in the country is so good, why do people like me from marginalised sections struggle for education and jobs?” he said.

Mr. Sachin, a Dalit, blamed the “bureaucracy’s stranglehold” over the employment and education sectors for the struggle of those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Regarding the announcements on free online coaching, he said, “It would help only if the scheme’s benefits actually reach the masses.”

Prominent singers and rappers from Haryana have come out in support of students protesting at Jantar Mantar over alleged examination paper leaks and seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to their grievances.

Singer and lyricist Gulzaar Chhaniwala, who has 2.5 million followers on Instagram, posted a video on the platform, saying, “Today, as an ordinary citizen, I want to make a humble request to you with folded hands. Whenever you have asked the people of this country for support, they have stood with you completely. Today, we hope that you will deliver justice to them.”

“Please listen once to what is on their minds. These are all students. A wrong has been done to them, and that is why they are in this situation today, fighting for their rights. In a democratic country, why do we have to face so many difficulties just to fight for our rights?” Mr. Chhaniwala said, adding, “We have listened to ‘Mann ki Baat’ all these years. Today, please listen to our Mann ki Baat and give us justice.”

Symbolic gesture

In a symbolic gesture of support, Hisar-based rapper and hip-hop artist Dhanda Nyoliwala, who has 4.7 million followers on Instagram, changed his profile picture to an image of climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk bearing the slogan ‘stand for truth’.

Faridabad-based artist Abhishek Baisla, popularly known as MC Square, who has 1.4 million Instagram followers, also expressed solidarity with the protesters. In a video over a minute long, he said, “What has been done to students near Parliament is wrong. That should not have happened. People can have different opinions, but I think their demand is very valid. How long does it take to accept their demand? It does not take even a little time. The government should consider this.”

‘Students ignored’

Referring to the July 20 protest march in Delhi, during which several students were injured in police action, Mr. Baisla said, “They are only seeking the resignation of the Education Minister, and it is a fit case for resignation. Only students are being ignored and beaten up. Everyone can see this.”

He also announced that he was putting his upcoming music releases on hold. “We cannot celebrate so long as students are being meted out this treatment.”

Singer and actor Dev Kumar also appealed to the Prime Minister, saying he could not go to Jantar Mantar due to health reasons but stood with the students.

“The country stood with you whenever you gave any directions. The country supported you when you sought support. Students have come to tell you what is in their hearts, but you are not able to listen to them; I do not know the reasons. Poor students and the country suffer immensely because of paper leaks. Listen to what is in their hearts, Modiji. They are your own children,” he said.

The usual laidback Sunday rhythm of Hyderabad gave way to a day of heightened movement, flashing beacon lights and layers of security as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the city for a series of programmes culminating in a public meeting at Parade Grounds that drew more than 75,000 people.

From early morning, over 2,600 police personnel from various wings including law and order, traffic and special teams, fanned out across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, taking positions at junctions, flyovers, Metro stations and barricaded stretches as the city prepared for one of its largest VVIP movements in recent months.

According to Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B. Sumathi, over 65,000 people were present at Parade Grounds during the PM’s public meeting in the evening, while an additional 10,000 to 15,000 remained outside the venue along the periphery and service roads near the Patny and Paradise flyovers.

Groups of supporters could be seen lining the barricades around the venue, many peering through the fencing and boundary walls to catch a glimpse of the stage. Loud cheers, slogans and music echoed across the Secunderabad from early evening as supporters gathered slowly.

Supporters at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
RAMAKRISHNA G.

The Prime Minister’s itinerary included the launch of Sindhu Hospital in Hitec City, inauguration of infrastructure projects and the final public meeting at Parade Grounds, all of which concluded peacefully under heavy security cover.

Despite elaborate traffic diversions across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, police reported that movement remained largely smooth, with no major halts or disruptions either for the attendees or the regular public. “The smooth coordination between law and order and traffic police made it possible for the waiting times to be zero for all commuters,” Ms Sumathi said.

The scale of mobilisation was visible across the city’s transport network. Around 2,000 buses and over 2,000 two-wheelers entered Hyderabad for the programme, with 14 designated parking locations earmarked to manage the inflow.

On the Rail Nilayam stretch, buses carrying supporters were seen being directed towards designated parking zones even as regular traffic moved steadily towards Sangeet junction.

Public transport hubs also witnessed unusually heavy rush through the evening. Parade Grounds Metro station, in particular, saw a large number of supporters arriving in waves, with platforms and entry points packed as people moved towards the meeting venue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (February 27, 2026) asked the industry to come forward with investment and innovation, and exhorted financial institutions to help them with practical solutions and strengthen market confidence.

Addressing a post-Budget webinar on ‘Technology, Reforms and Finance for Viksit Bharat’, Mr. Modi said when government, industry and knowledge partners come together, “reforms translate into results”, and “announcements on paper turn into achievements on the ground”.

Union Budget 2026-27 documents

In the last one decade, the government has laid emphasis on infrastructure, he said, adding that public capex has increased from ₹2 lakh crore 11 years ago, to over ₹12 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2026-27.

This high capex allocation is a signal to the private sector to come forward with new vigour, Mr. Modi said, adding that the industry should take advantage of all the 2026-27 Budget announcements.

“India Inc should come forward with fresh investment, innovation; financial institutions should help design practical solutions and improve market confidence,” Mr. Modi said.

Over the past decade, India has demonstrated extraordinary resilience, the PM said, adding that this has not happened by chance but due to conviction-driven reforms.

The government has also simplified processes and made ease of doing business much simpler.

“My suggestion is that we should develop a clear ‘Reform Partnership Charter’ which will have collaboration between government, industry, financial institutions and academia. This charter will become an important document in the goal to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047,” he said.

Observing that the Budget is often evaluated on different parameters, Mr. Modi said “the national Budget is not a short-term trading document. It is a policy roadmap. Therefore, the effectiveness of the Budget should also be assessed on solid and substantive parameters”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (November 13, 2025) said the decisions of the Union Cabinet regarding exports will improve global competitiveness and help realise the dream of self-reliance.

The Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Mr. Modi on Wednesday (November 12, 2025), approved the export promotion mission and a credit guarantee scheme for exporters.

“Ensuring ‘Made in India’ resonates even louder in the world market! The Union Cabinet approved the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), which will improve export competitiveness, help MSMEs, first-time exporters and sectors that are labour-intensive,” Mr. Modi said in a post on X.

“It brings together key stakeholders to build a mechanism that is outcome based and effective,” he said.

The Prime Minister also said the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters, which has been approved by the Cabinet, will boost global competitiveness, ensure smooth business operations and help realise our dream of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Mr. Modi said the decision to rationalise the royalty rates of graphite, caesium, rubidium and zirconium will strengthen supply chains and create job opportunities.

The Cabinet also approved rationalisation of royalty rates of graphite, caesium, rubidium and zirconium minerals critical for Green Energy.

“This Cabinet decision will boost sustainability and self-reliance. It will strengthen supply chains and create job opportunities as well,” the Prime Minister said.