India, Aug. 16 -- Becoming only the second Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to hoist the national flag at the Red Fort for 13 consecutive years, Narendra Modi's address to the nation from the Red Fort on Saturday was the shortest, lasting 75 minutes. Statistically speaking, it was the shortest in four years and the fourth shortest of his 13 consecutive appearances at the historic ramparts. Moreover, PM has spoken for 18 hours and 38 minutes in Independence Day addresses from the Red Fort over 13 years.

His shortest Independence Day speech was 56 minutes in 2017. The 2026 address was significantly shorter than his 103-minute speech last year, which is the longest of his tenure, and surpassed his previous record of 98 minutes in 2024....