PM Modi Independence Day speech Live: The address comes against the backdrop of celebrations centred on Yuva Shakti and the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, describing the occasion as a historic moment as Vande Mataram echoed from the ramparts of the iconic monument for the first time on August 15 since Independence.PM Modi ahead of his Independence Day address at the Red fort. (HT Photo/Raj K Raj)Addressing the nation after unfurling the Tricolour, Modi paid tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India's independence and remembered Mahatma Gandhi and the revolutionaries who inspired the country's freedom struggle."The country today remembers with reverence those great sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of the nation. With freedom as the sole objective, they devoted their entire lives to sacrifice and struggle," the Prime Minister said."I respectfully salute revered Bapu and all the freedom fighters, as well as the great revolutionaries who inspired this glorious tradition of sacrifice," he said.Modi then highlighted the significance of Vande Mataram being rendered at the Red Fort during the Independence Day ceremony."For everyone present at this ceremony today, this is also a historic moment. For the first time since Independence, Vande Mataram is echoing from the Red Fort on August 15," he said.This year's Independence Day celebrations mark 150 years of Vande Mataram, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's iconic song that has been closely associated with India's freedom movement. The celebrations also focus on Yuva Shakti and India's vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.The Prime Minister's address marked his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort. He had earlier greeted the nation and remembered the freedom fighters, saying their dreams continue to inspire India's journey towards becoming a developed nation.The ceremony included the unfurling of the national flag, a 21-gun salute and performances centred on Vande Mataram. Around 2,500 Army, Navy and Air Force cadets, along with My Bharat volunteers, participated in the celebrations, while thousands of special guests from different walks of life attended the event.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs.