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Equality plea as India celebrates Equality plea as India celebrates
(about 4 hours later)
The Indian president has called for everyone to benefit from the country's economic boom in a speech on the eve of the 60th anniversary of independence. The Indian president has said everyone should benefit from the country's economic boom, as India celebrates its 60th anniversary of independence.
India's first woman president, Pratibha Patil, said growth must be inclusive. India's first woman president, Pratibha Patil, said the country had to ensure "equitable growth for all".
India has launched a huge security operation ahead of official events on Wednesday - Pakistan celebrated its independence a day earlier. As celebrations got under way, a huge security operation swung into action to thwart possible militant attacks.
Partition in 1947 saw 10 million people cross borders in one of history's largest mass migrations.Partition in 1947 saw 10 million people cross borders in one of history's largest mass migrations.
'Glorious destiny''Glorious destiny'
"Growth, when unevenly spread, dwarfs overall prosperity," Ms Patil said."Growth, when unevenly spread, dwarfs overall prosperity," Ms Patil said.
We are making foolproof security arrangements to keep militants at bay Kashmir police officer SM Sahai Memories of a family torn We are making foolproof security arrangements to keep militants at bay Kashmir police officer SM Sahai Memories of a family torn
"We have to ensure equitable growth for all. The fruits of economic development must necessarily touch, especially, the living and working conditions of our toiling masses and people below the poverty line.""We have to ensure equitable growth for all. The fruits of economic development must necessarily touch, especially, the living and working conditions of our toiling masses and people below the poverty line."
Correspondents say her comments reflect a message oft-repeated by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.Correspondents say her comments reflect a message oft-repeated by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"For our nation to rise and claim its glorious destiny, we must realise that it is our billion hands that can shape it," she said."For our nation to rise and claim its glorious destiny, we must realise that it is our billion hands that can shape it," she said.
The president also called for women not to be marginalised in society, and stressed that agriculture played a "critical role for balanced development".The president also called for women not to be marginalised in society, and stressed that agriculture played a "critical role for balanced development".
Police are on high alert across the countryPolice are on high alert across the country
As the president was speaking, a huge security operation was under way. Early events making the independence anniversary included a huge concert at Wagah, on the border with Pakistan.
Aircraft and tens of thousands of security forces have been deployed to fend off what the government says are threats by al-Qaeda and insurgents operating in several states. It mirrored one held on the other side the previous night as Pakistan marked its own independence.
The BBC's Alastair Leithead, at Wagah, says there was a sense from people there that they would like to see the community spirit that was alive when this was one country to be born again.
Prime Minister Singh is due to formally start the celebrations later with a speech from Delhi's 16th Century Mughal Red Fort, which has already been sealed off to the public.
Across India, aircraft and tens of thousands of security forces have been deployed to fend off what the government says are threats by al-Qaeda and insurgents operating in several states.
In Delhi, around 70,000 policemen and paramilitary troops were posted at government buildings, diplomatic enclaves and main intersections.In Delhi, around 70,000 policemen and paramilitary troops were posted at government buildings, diplomatic enclaves and main intersections.
Mr Singh is due to start the celebrations formally on Wednesday with a speech from on top of the city's 16th-Century Mughal Red Fort, which has already been sealed off to the public.
Security forces say they are on high alert for possible attacks by separatist groups.
'India's hegemony''India's hegemony'
Such groups in Indian-administered Kashmiri say that the independence celebrations are a "Black Day". On previous occasions they have launched attacks aimed at disrupting celebrations. Separatist groups in Indian-administered Kashmiri say that the independence celebrations are a "Black Day".
Officials say that troops have occupied dozens of buildings in the summer capital, Srinagar, and cordoned off a sports stadium where celebrations were scheduled to be held on Wednesday. On previous occasions they have launched attacks aimed at disrupting celebrations.
Officials say that troops have occupied dozens of buildings in the summer capital, Srinagar, and cordoned off a sports stadium where celebrations were scheduled to be held later.
"We are making foolproof security arrangements to keep militants at bay," senior police officer SM Sahai told the AFP news agency."We are making foolproof security arrangements to keep militants at bay," senior police officer SM Sahai told the AFP news agency.
Both countries have sanctioned prisoner releasesBoth countries have sanctioned prisoner releases
The authorities are on alert in the north-eastern state of Assam, where strikes have been held to protest against the recent killing of Hindi speakers.The authorities are on alert in the north-eastern state of Assam, where strikes have been held to protest against the recent killing of Hindi speakers.
Security has also been stepped up in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa where outlawed Maoist guerrillas have branded the independence celebrations a symbol of "India's hegemony".Security has also been stepped up in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa where outlawed Maoist guerrillas have branded the independence celebrations a symbol of "India's hegemony".
Delhi's borders with adjoining Indian states have been sealed off, and a no-fly zone enforced over the capital.Delhi's borders with adjoining Indian states have been sealed off, and a no-fly zone enforced over the capital.
Batteries of anti-aircraft guns and missiles backed by air force gunships have already been deployed, defence ministry officials said.Batteries of anti-aircraft guns and missiles backed by air force gunships have already been deployed, defence ministry officials said.
Railway officials say that express trains, often targeted by anti-Indian rebels, are being searched for explosives as a precaution.Railway officials say that express trains, often targeted by anti-Indian rebels, are being searched for explosives as a precaution.
To herald the celebrations in both countries, Pakistan allowed 134 Indian prisoners to return home on Monday, with India reciprocating by handing over 72 Pakistani prisoners on Tuesday. To herald the celebrations in both countries, Pakistan allowed 134 Indian prisoners to return home on Monday, with India reciprocating by handing over 72 Pakistani prisoners on Tuesday. Pakistan celebrated its independence on Monday.