India Celebrates 68 Years Of Independence with Cray Carnival : Photos

“India was ablaze with bright colors and spirited with festivity as the country celebrated its 68th Independence Day on Friday.

Recently elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to bring jobs and development to India in his Independence Day address from the historic Red Fort in New Delhi. Modi is the first Indian prime minister to be born after India became independent from British rule in 1947, the Washington Post notes.

“It is a tribute to Indian democracy that a person from a poor family, an ordinary family, is today addressing the nation from the Red Fort,” Modi said, according to Indian broadcaster NDTV. “The world used to think we are a land of snake charmers and black magic — but our youth has surprised the world with its IT skills.””

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