PM Modi before his first Independence Day speech last year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who broke with tradition for his first Independence Day speech, will do so again for his second, said sources. The PM's address from the historic red fort will reportedly include goals that have been crowd-sourced. Suggestions delivered through MyGov.in. A receptacle for public comments has included a mission to make India free of plastic bags and a comprehensive health insurance scheme for the poor.
Last year, the PM went off-script and refused to deliver his speech from behind a bullet-proof screen, as his predecessor had done.
Sources say that last year, it was input from ministers that was parsed for some parts of the PM's address. This year, he wanted the public to have its say.
In his radio addresses to the country every month, the PM makes it a point to acknowledge comments and feedback from citizens, delighting many by naming them.
Suggestions that have allegedly caught his attention for today's speech include a plan to develop smart villages like his ambitious Smart Cities plan to modernise India with effective public transport, Wi-Fi and uninterrupted power supply.