On Pakistan and terrorism

"Dear countrymen

"My hearty independence day greetings to all of you.

"It is 55 years since we became independent. Today, we pay our homage to all the martyrs of the freedom struggle.

"Terrorism has become a festering wound. It is an enemy of humanity.

"Our neighbour claims to oppose terrorism at international level, but adopts double standards in the context of our region.

"After facing defeat in wars, it has resorted to cross-border terrorism for grabbing Kashmir.

"We wish to state once again that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. It will remain so.

"For us, Kashmir is not a piece of land - it is a test-case of secularism.

"India has always stood the test of a secular nation. Jammu and Kashmir is a living example of this.

"We shall defeat cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. This is our resolve.

"We wish to have good neighbourly relations with Pakistan. The Lahore journey and the Agra summit are testimony to this.

"India wants all issues to be resolved peacefully and through negotiations. We are prepared to take some more steps in this direction. However, for this, it is necessary to create a conducive environment.

On Kashmir elections

"Those who call the forthcoming elections in the state farcical should not give us lectures on democracy. Let them take a look at their own track record.

"How can attempts to flagrantly provoke the people of Jammu and Kashmir to boycott elections create an atmosphere for any meaningful talks?

"I am deeply saddened when I compare South Asia with other parts of the world.

"When Japan, which was devastated in World War II, today stands as one of the front-ranking nations; when the whole of Europe has united, forgetting all the old enmities; why can't we resolve all our contentious issues through talks?

"We can. We will. Why can't we unite and fight against our real enemy - poverty?

"The process of peace and democracy has now arrived at a decisive turn in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been grappling with terrorism.

"Elections are going to take place in the state. The dates have already been announced.

"I am confident that these elections will be fully free and fair. No one need have any doubts on this score.

"I appeal to the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, as also to their representatives, to participate actively and in large numbers in the elections and thereby demolish the motivated propaganda being conducted from across the border.

"The desire for peace is growing in India's north-eastern states, too. The demand for faster economic development is intensifying.

On drought and floods

"In addition to external difficulties, we also have had to grapple with nature.

"A large part of the country is reeling under a severe drought. In some places, floods have shown their wrath.

"The government has taken every possible step to deal effectively with the drought. We will not let anyone die of hunger.

"The government is now preparing an effective, long-term strategy to protect the country from the curse of drought and floods.

"There is stability in the country today. Democracy has become stronger. Its roots have reached every village and town.

On Gujarat and development

"Today, India stands proudly on the world stage - tall, self-reliant, and full of self-confidence. Our prestige is on the rise internationally.

"Our aim is to free India from the curse of poverty and unemployment. It is to make India a developed nation by 2020.

"Come, let us make development a powerful people's movement.

"For this, it is necessary that everyone rises above casteism and communalism. We will have to leave behind all those things that divide us.

"The horrific explosion of communal violence in Gujarat was one unfortunate example of this. There can be no place for such violence in a civilised society.

"Come, let us as a nation look ahead, look to the future.

"Come, let all of us unitedly affirm this resolve with the victorious salutation of Jai Hind (Hail India)!