India, Aug. 15 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted the multiple crises India faced over the past decade, from the Covid-19 pandemic and wars to fears over shortages of essential supplies, saying the country overcame them through careful planning and preparation.

Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, Modi said the pandemic had plunged the world into uncertainty and placed systems under severe strain. As countries began recovering from Covid-19, wars in Ukraine and West Asia brought fresh challenges, he said. Track PM Modi Red Fort address LIVE.

Modi also criticised those who, according to him, spread alarming predictions and rumours during times of crisis.

"And who knows what all the so-called ...