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India celebrates independence day India celebrates independence day
(about 7 hours later)
Indians are celebrating 60 years of independence from Britain. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has told Indians celebrating 60 years of independence from Britain that "the best is yet to come".
Delhi's Red Fort echoed to the sound of cannon as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh raised India's flag, where the British flag was lowered forever in 1947. Mr Singh was speaking after raising the Indian flag at Delhi's Red Fort, where the British flag was lowered in 1947.
He praised the work of those who fought for India's freedom but said the country would only be truly independent once it had eliminated poverty.He praised the work of those who fought for India's freedom but said the country would only be truly independent once it had eliminated poverty.
Earlier, a huge concert was held at Wagah on the border with Pakistan, which marked independence on Monday. Pakistan marked its own 60th anniversary a day earlier.
Partition in 1947 saw 10 million people cross borders in one of history's largest mass migrations. The partition in 1947 saw 10 million people cross borders in one of history's largest mass migrations.
But freedom for both countries came at a price as hundreds of thousands of people died in the violence that followed.But freedom for both countries came at a price as hundreds of thousands of people died in the violence that followed.
India looks to futureIndia looks to future
A military band fired guns and played the national anthem as the Indian flag was raised at the historic Red Fort, in the centre of Delhi. A military band fired guns and played the national anthem as the Indian flag was raised at the historic Red Fort in the centre of the capital.
Sixty years ago we started a new journey. We were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts and views PM Manmohan Singh href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6946800.stm">India's changing values href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=7075&edition=1">Send us your comments We are a young nation. Once unleashed, the energy of our youth will drive India onto a new growth path Manmohan Singh href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6947504.stm">In pictures: India celebrates href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6947234.stm">Cheering the spirit class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6947602.stm">Media pride
Hundreds of balloons in the colours of the Indian flag were released into the air.Hundreds of balloons in the colours of the Indian flag were released into the air.
Amid tight security, Mr Singh reviewed the progress India had made since independence. Amid tight security, Mr Singh said: "I assure you that for each one of you, and for our country, the best is yet to come."
India has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, but Mr Singh said too few Indians enjoyed the benefits. But he also said too few Indians enjoyed the benefits of one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
"Sixty years ago we started a new journey. We were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts and views. In the true sense we will have freedom and independence only when we get rid of poverty.""Sixty years ago we started a new journey. We were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts and views. In the true sense we will have freedom and independence only when we get rid of poverty."
A huge concert was held on the border between India and Pakistan Indian peacekeepers in Lebanon mark independence day
The prime minister's speech echoed earlier comments from India's first woman president, Pratibha Patil, who said everyone should benefit from the country's economic boom and India had to ensure "equitable growth for all". He urged the nation to work hard to "eradicate malnutrition within five years".
"The fruits of economic development must necessarily touch, especially, the living and working conditions of our toiling masses and people below the poverty line," she said. Mr Singh pledged to press ahead with industrialisation and improving infrastructure but there was no mention of the other nation created at the time of the bloody partition - Pakistan.
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder, in Delhi, says there is clear concern among India's leaders that the benefits of its booming economy have not reached a vast majority of its one-billion strong population.The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder, in Delhi, says there is clear concern among India's leaders that the benefits of its booming economy have not reached a vast majority of its one-billion strong population.
But despite this, the mood in India is upbeat, with many believing that the country has finally emerged out of its colonial shadow to take its position on the global stage, our correspondent adds.But despite this, the mood in India is upbeat, with many believing that the country has finally emerged out of its colonial shadow to take its position on the global stage, our correspondent adds.
Major security driveMajor security drive
Earlier, thousands of people attended a huge concert at Wagah, where the only road border between India and Pakistan is found.Earlier, thousands of people attended a huge concert at Wagah, where the only road border between India and Pakistan is found.
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.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.
HAVE YOUR SAY India's strength is our character and ability to get on with life without blaming anybody Hema, Basel, Switzerland Send us your comments India's changing values
As celebrations got under way across India, a huge security operation swung into action to thwart possible militant attacks.As celebrations got under way across India, a huge security operation swung into action to thwart possible militant attacks.
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. 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 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.
Four explosions rocked the north-eastern state of Assam hours before the celebrations began.Four explosions rocked the north-eastern state of Assam hours before the celebrations began.
No-one was killed or injured in the blasts. The police blamed the explosions on the separatist United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) rebels, who have called for a boycott of the celebrations.No-one was killed or injured in the blasts. The police blamed the explosions on the separatist United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) rebels, who have called for a boycott of the celebrations.
Separatist groups in Indian-administered Kashmiri say that the independence celebrations are a "Black Day". Separatist groups in Indian-administered Kashmir said that the celebrations were a "Black Day".
On previous occasions they have launched attacks aimed at disrupting celebrations. A strike sponsored by the groups closed shops and businesses there.
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 Tuesday. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad spoke at a ceremony from behind a bullet-proof screen, urging militants to turn to "peace and prosperity".
In some rural areas in eastern India, Maoist militants raised black flags to protest against the celebrations.
The festivities were also muted in many areas of northern India where millions have been affected by some of the worst flooding in 30 years.
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.