New Delhi, Aug. 15 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the nation on the 79th Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort, marking his 12th consecutive speech on the occasion and, by doing so, surpassing the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's record for the most successive speeches on August 15.

Narendra Modi first addressed the nation as Prime Minister from the Red Fort in 2014 and has now delivered a speech every year without a break, from 2014 to 2025.

Indira Gandhi had delivered 11 consecutive Independence Day addresses during her tenure, though she gave 16 in total across her time in office.

The milestone makes PM Modi the second Indian Prime Minister to deliver 12 Independence Day speeches in a row, afte...