There were colourful parades around India as the country celebrated its 68th Independence Day. India gained independence from British rule in 1947.
Girls show off their bangles in the colours of the national flag during Independence Day celebrations in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh(Reuters) Image for representation only
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delivering his first Independence Day speech, adressed the countryfrom the ramparts of the 17th-century Red Fort in old Delhi, continuing a tradition begun by independent India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
However, Modi broke with one tradition: he did not speak from behind a bullet-proof screen, the first prime minister to do so in almost 30 years.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers a speech at the Red Fort in New Delhi to mark the country's 68th Independence DayReutersIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspects a guard of honour upon his arrival at the historic Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations in DelhiReutersChildren hold a 200-metre-long national flag during India's Independence Day celebrations in the southern Indian city of ChennaiReutersA Jammu and Kashmir Policeman jumps through a ring of fire during celebrations of India's 68th Independence Day in SrinagarReutersArtists perform during Independence Day festivities in the recently formed Telangana stateAFPAn Indian artist dressed as Hanuman the monkey god performs at Golkonda Fort in HyderabadAFPBoys dance during a ceremony to celebrate India's 68th Independence Day in AmritsarAFPKashmiri policemen perform a motorbike stunt during India's Independence Day celebrations in SrinagarReutersA Kashmiri policeman rides through a wall of fluorescent tubes during India's Independence Day celebrations in SrinagarReutersCollege students with painted faces pose for a picture in the southern Indian city of ChennaiAFPAn Indian Border Security Force soldier and a young woman at the Indian-Pakistan Wagah border postAFPA fan appears to become part of the Indian flag as a policeman prepares to take part in a full dress rehearsal for Independence Day celebrations in KolkataReutersAn Indian Army soldier leaps through a ring of fire on his motorcycle during Independence Day celebrations in the southern Indian city of BangaloreReutersA member of the National Cadet Corps waves with her hand decorated with henna in ChandigarhReuters
