Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the bullet-proof enclosure at Red Fort a miss this year
New Delhi:
For the third year in a row, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to deliver his Independence Day address from an open air podium instead of from behind a bullet proof enclosure.
Overruling strong objections from his security detail, Prime Minister Modi had shunned the bullet-proof enclosure to "connect directly" with people during his maiden Independence Day speech as PM from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort in 2014. Since, he has always given his Independence Day address without the glass barrier.
The ubiquitous bullet proof glass enclosure became a permanent fixture during Independence Day speeches from the Red Fort after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. Her son, Rajiv Gandhi became the first prime minister to speak from behind the enclosure in 1985. VP Singh opted for a half enclosure in 1990, but PV Narasimha Rao had the screen raised to full height during his tenure.
Dressed in traditional Indian clothing, and sporting a Rajasthani turbn, Mr Modi spoke without the protection of the bullet-proof barrier. He devoted the bulk of his address on the work done by his government, particularly in boosting economic growth, ease of doing business and welfare schemes for the poor and farmers.
Prime Minister Modi also broke protocol to mix freely with school children who had gathered at Red Fort early in the morning for his address.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Overruling strong objections from his security detail, Prime Minister Modi had shunned the bullet-proof enclosure to "connect directly" with people during his maiden Independence Day speech as PM from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort in 2014. Since, he has always given his Independence Day address without the glass barrier.
The ubiquitous bullet proof glass enclosure became a permanent fixture during Independence Day speeches from the Red Fort after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. Her son, Rajiv Gandhi became the first prime minister to speak from behind the enclosure in 1985. VP Singh opted for a half enclosure in 1990, but PV Narasimha Rao had the screen raised to full height during his tenure.
Dressed in traditional Indian clothing, and sporting a Rajasthani turbn, Mr Modi spoke without the protection of the bullet-proof barrier. He devoted the bulk of his address on the work done by his government, particularly in boosting economic growth, ease of doing business and welfare schemes for the poor and farmers.
Prime Minister Modi also broke protocol to mix freely with school children who had gathered at Red Fort early in the morning for his address.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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