
15th August: India celebrates 79th Independence Day with fervour; Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishes the nation in 100-minute speech, his longest ever
UPDATED: Aug 16, 2025 16:59 IST
Description for News At Seven: On News At Seven this August 15, Taniya Dutta brings to you the day's most significant headlines.
India is celebrating its 79th Independence Day with fervour and patriotic spirit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his longest Independence Day speech yet, extended wishes to citizens. He spoke about the success of Operation Sindoor and highlighted the contributions of the RSS to the nation. In Kishtwar, the death toll from flash floods triggered by a devastating cloudburst has risen to over 60. More than 200 people are still missing.
Produced by Taniya Dutta
Sound mix by Rohan Bharti
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India.com
5 minutes ago
- India.com
DA Hike update: Double celebration on Diwali as along with GST reform, Modi government may announce hike in...
New Delhi: This time on Diwali, the central government can bring a big gift for its employees and pensioners. While on the one hand, preparations are going on to receive increased dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief, on the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has talked about implementing GST reforms before Diwali. Its benefit will be directly available to the general public, traders and government employees. From which date will the new DA be implemented? In March 2025, the Union Cabinet approved a 2% DA / DR hike for more than 48 lakh central government employees and more than 66 lakh pensioners, which came into effect from January 2025. Now, employees and pensioners are getting DA and DR at the rate of 55%. According to the 7th Pay Commission, the minimum base salary of central government employees is Rs 18,000, and the minimum pension of pensioners is Rs 9,000. With 55% DA, an employee is getting a total of Rs 27,900, and a pensioner is getting Rs 13,950. How many times is the DA increased in a year? Every year, the government increases DA twice, once in January and the other in July. Now the next hike for July 2025 is expected to be announced in September. According to media reports, this time the DA may increase by 3%. If this happens, DA will become 58% and it can be implemented around Diwali. PM Modi has already announced the GST reform before Diwali Prime Minister Modi has recently asked the state governments to cooperate with the central government in implementing the proposed GST reforms. He also said that these reforms will be implemented before Diwali and the poor, middle class, and small and big traders will get its benefit. The PM said, 'We consider reforms a symbol of good governance. We aim to make life and business easier. That is why we are bringing next-generation reforms under GST. These reforms will prove to be a double bonus for the people this Diwali.' The 8th Pay Commission is also on the way In January 2025, the Central Government approved the 8th Pay Commission, but its official notification is yet to come. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in Parliament that the notification will be issued on time. This means that in future, more improvements can be seen in the salary and pension of the employees.


Business Standard
20 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Nifty trades above 24,900 level; European mrkt opens lower
The frontline indices traded with significant gains in the afternoon trade, supported by hopes of big changes to the GST system and a recent upgrade to Indias credit rating. On the occasion of Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government plans to bring generational GST reforms before Diwali, which could benefit sectors like auto, FMCG, and consumer goods. However, global worries remain, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and possible 25% US tariffs on Indian products starting August 27. The Nifty traded above the 24,900 level. At 13:35 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, surged 851.34 points or 1.06% to 81,449.00. The Nifty 50 index jumped 295.30 points or 1.02% to 24,926.30. The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index advanced 1.15% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index jumped 1.37%. The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2,545 shares rose and 1,566 shares fell. A total of 189 shares were unchanged. Gainers & Losers: Trent (up 4.22%), Maruti Suzuki India (up 8.54%), Hero MotoCorp (up 5.94%), Nestle India (up 5.70%) and Bajaj Finance (up 5.63%) were the major Nifty50 gainers. Eternal (down 3.05%), Larsen & Toubro (down 0.85%), Infosys (down 0.71%), ITC (down 0.66%) and Tech Mahindra (down 0.69%) were the major Nifty50 Losers. KEC International surged 5.26% after the company announced that it has secured new orders worth Rs 1,402 crore across its key business verticals. Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services jumped 7.12% after the companys standalone net profit surged 54.8% to Rs 25.88 crore on a 31.4% increase in revenue from operations to Rs 331.49 crore in Q1 FY26 over Q1 FY25. Global Markets: European stocks opened lower on Monday as traders awaited a meeting between regional leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss Ukraine. Markets in Asia traded in a mixed manner on Monday after the U.S.-Russia summit concluded without a ceasefire. As per media reports, U.S. President Donald Trump now seemed more aligned with Moscow on seeking a peace deal with Ukraine instead of a ceasefire first, after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. The reports further state that Trump will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders later on Monday to discuss the next steps, though actual proposals are vague as yet. US stocks were mixed on Friday as Wall Street tempered its rate-cut hopes amid economic data this week that showed higher-than-expected wholesale inflation and a rise in July retail sales. The Dow rose 0.08%, or 34.86 points, to 44,946.12. The S&P 500 slipped 0.29%, or 18.74 points, to 6,449.80; and the tech-heavy Nasdaq dipped 0.4%, or 87.693 points, to 21,622.977. The US Census Bureau data released Friday morning showed retail sales rose 0.5% in July from the prior month. Meanwhile, US consumer sentiment deteriorated in August, falling for the first time in four months as inflation expectations jumped in the longer term. The US Fed will continue to be in focus this week as central bank members travel to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for the annual economic policy symposium.


Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
RS passes Indian Ports Bill 2025: Sonowal says India targets Singapore, Europe-style integrated planning
The Rajya Sabha passed Indian Ports Bill, 2025 Monday, backing the centre's pitch of establishing global standards for maritime operations in the country. Moving for passage of the bill, Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said port operations will become more disciplined after the provisions of this bill are adopted. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency 'This bill is meticulously designed to align with the best global practices, mirroring the integrated planning models of Singapore and the robust environmental standards of the European Union,' Sonowal said while adding there is a continuous need to develop India's ports to accelerate growth of the economy. The Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) will be established as a recommendatory body empowered to advise the Central and State Governments. Sonowal said this will ensure a robust consultative framework between the states and the centre. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Most Beautiful Women in the World Undo Electronic publication of port tariffs is being mandated. 'This would promote greater transparency, competitiveness and a fair operating environment,' Sonowal added. The bill introduces State-level Dispute Resolution Committees to provide a fast, efficient, and transparent mechanism for resolving port-related disputes. It also enforces adherence to global conventions like the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. Live Events Penalties and fines have been updated and decriminalised where appropriate, the minister said while noting that non-criminal contraventions and corresponding penalties can now be imposed by the conservator of the Port. 'By modernizing our legal framework, we are not just playing catch-up, we are laying the foundation for India to become a global maritime leader by 2047, in line with our vision of a Viksit Bharat ," Sonowal added.