Independence Day: PM Modi announces creation of post of Chief of Defence Staff

This would ensure coordination and help provide effective leadership to three services.

"Our forces are India's pride. To further sharpen coordination between the forces, I want to announce a major decision from the Red Fort today. India will have a Chief of Defence Staff - CDS. This is going to make the forces even more effective," Prime Minister said in his customary Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort.

He expressed concern over terror menace in the region and said - "Those who give protection to terrorism and support it must be exposed. Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka also are affected by terrorism".

Prime Minister said all countries in the world need to come together to fight this menace. "From the ramparts of the Red Fort, I give my greetings to the people of Afghanistan who are marking 100 years of freedom," he said while describing Afghanistan as a friend.

In his unique mannerism and way of putting things across, Prime Minister said wealth creation is a great national service and it should not be seen with suspicion always.

"Let us never see wealth creators with suspicion. Only when wealth is created, wealth will be distributed. Wealth creation is also essential. Those who create wealth are India's wealth and we respect them," Mr Modi said.

But he hastened to mention that corruption remains a challenge and though some success has been achieved in recent times, it will be only proper to fight the menace with mass involvement.

In terms of development and people's aspiration, Prime Minister said - "People of India are no longer happy with merely the proposal for a new railway station, they want to know when the state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express will come to their area".

PM called for making India plastic free and also urged people to visit at least 15 tourist destination within India by 2022.

"India has much to offer. I know people travel abroad for holidays but can we think of visiting at least 15 tourist destinations across India before 2022, when we mark 75 years of freedom," he said.

In reference to abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A from Jammu and Kashmir, he said now the people are rejoicing over the fact that after a long time, the country has reached a stage to cheer about 'one nation, one constitution'.

"Jo kaam sattar saal mein nahi hua (What did not happen in 70 years has been done in less than 70 days)," he said.

Prime Minister also made a strong case to work for holding Lok Sabha and assembly polls together.

It may be mentioned that the Law Commission had recommended holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

Prime Minister has also held an all-party meeting on the possibilities of holding Lok Sabha and assembly elections together.

Prime Minister announced that his government will invest a whopping sum of Rs 100 lakh crore in infrastructure development.

Dwelling on various aspects of public life in details at times, Prime Minister gave a slogan for the traders and shop keepers and said - "Digital Payment ko Haan, nagad ko Na".

The idea being giving major push to digital payment.

"Can we make this our motto?," he asked.

Prime Minister said - "It is unfortunate that so many people lack access to water even 70 years after Independence. Work on the Jal Jeevan Mission will progress with great vigour in the years to come