PM Modi reaches out to Kashmir, lauds economic reforms in Independence Day speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on reached out to strife-hit Kashmiris, saying abuses and bullets will not resolve their problems but embracing them will, as he praised his government's economic reforms in a wide-ranging Independence Day speech.

In a 56-minute speech, the shortest of the four times he has addressed the nation, he also rebuked those who resort to violence in the name of religion, adding that casteism and communalism are like poison.

Wearing his trademark half-sleeves kurta, churidar pajama and a Rajasthani headgear, Modi spoke from the ramparts of the Red Fort to thousands of spectators including schoolchildren dressed like Lord Krishna, as well as crores of television audience watching the live telecast of his speech across the nation.

" Na gaali se, na goli se, parivartan hoga gale lagaane se... samasya suljhegi har Kashmiri ko gale lagane se (Kashmir problem cannot be resolved by either bullets or by abuses. It can be resolved by embracing Kashmiris)," he said, referring to the ongoing violence in the Kashmir valley.

Only a handful of separatists, he said, were resorting to "various tactics" to create problems in the state. But the government is committed to making Kashmir a paradise once again, the prime minister said.