India, Aug. 15 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address on Saturday came just days after student-led protests demanding reforms in competitive exams and the resignation of then education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, following the NEET-UG paper leak that sparked outrage across the country.

From the Red Fort, Modi sought to speak directly to that younger generation, promising greater access to opportunities and resources, including a Rs.1 lakh crore mechanism to support their ideas, innovation and capabilities. Track Independence Day 2026 LIVE.

The timing of the announcements was notable. Earlier, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, who led protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, had urged Modi to dedicate hi...