Independence Day 2024 Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from ramparts of Red Fort on 78th Independence Day. This was be Prime Minister 11th Independence Day speech. Frequent natural disaster incidents, Viksit Bharat by 2047, Atmanirbhar Bharat, youth skill development, and women's safety were among the key issues mentioned by PM Modi in his address speech.
Why is Independence Day celebrated? August 15 marks the day when India was declared free from the clutches of the British, who ruled the country for more than 200 years. This is among the national days when Indians remember the freedom fighters who sacrificed and dedicated their lives to the freedom of the country.
What's the theme of Independence Day? The theme of this year's Independence Day is 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047'. The celebrations will serve as a platform to provide a renewed push to the government's efforts towards transforming the country into a developed nation by 2047. From Srinagar and Ladakh to the nation's capital, the country will come together to celebrate its freedom on August 15.
Security has been beefed up in the wake of grand celebrations at the Red Fort and other areas. Security personnel have been deployed in and around the Red Fort, and bomb disposal staff have been carrying out checking of the nearby vicinity of Red Fort along with the dog squad. Not just Delhi, but in other states as well, such as Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, security has been upped to avoid any untoward incident.
PM Modi's speech: PM Modi first Independence Day address of his third term will take him past Manmohan Singh, who unfurled the tricolour 10 times from the ramparts of Red Fort during 2004-2014, and place him behind Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, who did the honours 17 and 16 times respectively.
Stay tuned to this LIVE blog for all the latest updates on the Independence Day celebration
15 Aug 2024, 07:21:49 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Hundreds gather for celebrations in London
Independence Day 2024 Live: Nearly 1,000 people of Indian heritage gathered at the High Commission of India here on Thursday to celebrate the 78th Independence Day, with music, dance and patriotic chants.
Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, marked the beginning of the event by unfurling the tricolour followed by the National Anthem echoing across India House in Aldwych.
He then read excerpts from President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day -- a custom at the annual festive gathering.
15 Aug 2024, 06:57:31 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: US Embassy wishes India in 22 languages
Independence Day 2024 Live: The US Embassy in India extended its greetings in a unique manner with several envoys wishing the country in all 22 scheduled Indian languages.
“Did you know the Indian Constitution defines 22 scheduled languages? All of us at Embassy New Delhi and the consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai couldn't decide which language to use to express our excitement about Indian Independence Day, so we just used them all! From every corner of the United States to every corner of India...Happy Independence Day!" it wrote on X.
15 Aug 2024, 06:27:09 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: ULFA (I) says it has planted 24 explosives across Assam
Independence Day 2024 Live: Police have unearthed "bomb-like substances" from at least eight places, including two in Guwahati, after the banned ULFA (I) on Thursday claimed to have planted bombs in 24 locations to trigger serial blasts across Assam on Independence Day.
15 Aug 2024, 06:25:30 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Giorgia Meloni shares message for PM Modi
15 Aug 2024, 04:29:10 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: DK Shivakumar says ‘traitors who supported British during freedom struggle are now…’
Independence Day 2024 Live: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar on Thursday said the traitors who had joined hands with the British during the freedom struggle are today lecturing others about patriotism.
“We need to protect the country from these wolves in sheep’s clothing. It is important that we need to educate the younger generation about Congress’s role in the freedom struggle. More than 6.5 lakh Congressmen sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle. Today’s Congressmen must be proud of their legacy. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder) had written a letter to the British to suppress the Quit India Movement. His followers are today questioning Congress’s contribution to the nation. It was the Congress which built the national assets which the BJP is selling today. What is BJP’s contribution to the country? They are the ones who joined hands with the British," he said.
15 Aug 2024, 04:02:00 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Congress slams PM Modi for ‘seating LoP Rahul in 5th row’
Independence Day 2024 Live: The Congress on Thursday said that making Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi "sit in the fifth row" at the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "pettiness" and lack of respect for democratic traditions.
15 Aug 2024, 03:40:11 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: 78 from military unit swim from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island to Marina Bay
Independence Day 2024 Live: 78 swimmers of command swam from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island to Marina Bay to mark Independence Day. The event was organised in Port Blair as part of the tri-services Andaman and Nicobar Command’s expedition Param Veer to swim to the islands named after 21 Param Veer Chakra awardees.
15 Aug 2024, 03:15:14 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: ABVP workers lead Tiranga Rally with 300-feet long tricolour in Srinagar
15 Aug 2024, 03:12:30 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: PM Modi bats for one nation one election
Independence Day 2024 Live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made an unequivocal pitch for a "secular" civil code instead of the current framework which is "communal" and promoted "discrimination", and also for simultaneous polls, as he fronted the ruling BJP's manifesto promises for a uniform civil code and 'one nation one election'.
15 Aug 2024, 02:48:54 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin leads celebrations in Chennai
15 Aug 2024, 02:48:14 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Indian Olympic contingent among special guests at Red Fort
Independence Day 2024 Live: Members of the Indian contingent that took part in the Paris Olympics were among the special guests at the Red Fort on Thursday. Sources told PTI that all seating arrangements were done “as per the table of precedence" and it was decided this year that "Paris Olympics medal winners" would be honoured as special guests. Ace shooter and double bronze medallist Manu Bhaker, fellow shooter and bronze medallist Sarabjot Singh, and PR Sreejesh who retired after being the goalkeeper of the bronze medal-winning Indian hockey team, among others were present in the VVIP seating area.
15 Aug 2024, 02:40:48 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: PM Modi vows to create 75,000 new medical seats in next 5 years
Independence Day 2024 Live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on Thursday morning.
“Around 25,000 youths every year go abroad for medical education and they go to such countries, I get surprised when I hear about them. So we have decided, 75,000 new seats will be created in the medical line in the next five years," he said.
15 Aug 2024, 02:29:36 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Visuals from Kolkata
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15 Aug 2024, 02:08:51 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Foreign Ministry of Iran congratulates people of India
In a tweet, Foreign Ministry of Iran wrote, "The Islamic Republic of Iran extends its sincere congratulations to the friendly nation and government of the Republic of India on their Independence Day. Strengthening all-round relations is on the mutual agenda of the two nations."
15 Aug 2024, 01:44:27 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat hoists national flag, says "Future generation has to protect Independence"
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat hoisted the national flag at RSS Headquarters in Nagpur.
While speaking to reporters, he said, “We have completed 78 years of Independence.... We got independence only after the sacrifices of countless people who sacrificed their lives for independence and the society that stood behind them has formed in the country... The generation who fought for our independence is no more, but the coming generations have to protect it."
15 Aug 2024, 01:42:58 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: French President Macron congratulates people of India on 78th Independence Day
French President Macron took to X and wrote, “Congratulations to the Indian people on your 78th Independence Day! I remember your warm welcome during my visit to India in January and look forward to working with my friend @NarendraModi on achieving the ambitious goals we have set for our strategic partnership."
15 Aug 2024, 01:21:20 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: 'Medical Independence still a major dream as crores of people are dying due to…' Baba Ramdev
While speaking on Independence Day, Yog Guru Swami Ramdev says, "...The dream of medical independence is still a major dream because by consuming the poisonous medicines of allopathy, crores of people are dying every year..."
He further says, "...A major ideological war is going on through social media. This is destroying India's children and youth. This is inciting lust among people. Incidents of rape and gang rape are taking place. One reason for this is that we are distancing ourselves from Yoga. A 'tandav' is happening across the country. India is a land of hermits and when we see incidents like gang-rape here, it leaves us shaken. So, on the occasion of 78th Independence Day, Patanjali has pledged that besides political, educational, medical, economical, ideological and cultural independence, we will help bring freedom from diseases, drugs and lust in this country..."
15 Aug 2024, 01:06:22 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Kerala CM Vijayan highlights impact of Wayanad landslides, criticises nation's lack of precise warning systems in I-Day speech
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressed the state during the 78th Independence Day celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram, acknowledging the recent impact of landslides in Wayanad. He criticized the country’s lack of a precise disaster warning system and called for better preparedness.
"Even though we boast of achievements in science and technology, it's troubling that, even in the 21st century, our country still struggles to accurately predict natural disasters and establish effective defences to protect lives and property. The need for precise predictions, rather than general warnings, has been demonstrated by numerous experiences worldwide," CM Vijayan said.
15 Aug 2024, 01:05:09 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Mizoram to launch interest-free-loan scheme: CM
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Thursday said that the state government will launch a scheme to enable deserving people to avail interest-free loan up to ₹50 lakh to achieve economic growth and improve the living condition of the masses.
15 Aug 2024, 01:04:06 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: BJP's Partition Day an attempt to spread hatred: Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Thursday attacked the BJP-led Centre, saying the rulers of today are encouraging divisive thinking and marking the 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day' with the intention of spreading hatred.
"Unity in diversity is our strength and not a weakness. Some people propagate that we got independence easily but the truth is that lakhs of people made sacrifices, left their homes and even people from well-to-do families spent time in jails," he said.
Instead of walking the path shown by them, the rulers of today are encouraging divisive thinking, he said.
"They mark Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas with the intention of spreading hatred. Those who did not participate in the Independence movement give advice to the Congress party and without any contribution want to get counted among the martyrs," the Congress president said.
15 Aug 2024, 01:00:51 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: PM Modi's I-Day speech reflects resolve to build a ‘developed and self-reliant India’: Amit Shah
In a post on X, Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address on the 78th Independence Day reflects the government's resolve to build a developed and self-reliant India. Throwing light on topics such as self-reliance through renewable energy, One Nation - One Election, UCC, expansion of medical education, industrial manufacturing and 'Design in India' and women empowerment through SHGs."
15 Aug 2024, 12:59:53 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: BJP leader LK Advani hoist tiranga in Delhi
Tiranga hoisted at the residence of veteran BJP leader LK Advani in Delhi, on the 78th
15 Aug 2024, 12:58:22 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Yog Guru Swami Ramdev hoist the national flag at at Patanjali Yogpeeth
Yog Guru Swami Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved MD Acharya Balakrishna hoist the national flag at Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar, Uttarakhand on #IndependenceDay
15 Aug 2024, 12:44:31 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: ‘Koi Azaad insaan…’ Anand Mahindra extends Independence Day 2024 wishes
Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, who is known for its active social media presence, extended his wishes for 78th Independence Day 2024 on X. Mahindra shared a poem on his social media handle.
15 Aug 2024, 12:21:48 PM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: PM Modi calls for bringing 1 lakh youth with no political lineage into politics
Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a call to bring one lakh youth who do not have any political lineage into politics as public representatives, saying the move will also help end casteism and dynasty politics.
“In the country, in the realm of politics, we want to have one lakh public representatives. We want to have one lakh such youths who do not have any political background."
"Their parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, nephews have never been in politics in any generation.. such talented youths, fresh blood. And, whether it is for panchayat, nagarpalika, zilla parishad, or Vidhan Sabha or Lok Sabha... There should be no political history of that family... so that one can get rid of casteism and dynasty politics," Modi said. The prime minister said this move will bring "fresh blood" with fresh ideas and capabilities.
15 Aug 2024, 11:47:39 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Indian and Sri Lankan Army jointly practice yoga on the occasion of India's Independence Day | Watch
Visuals from the Army Training School in Maduruoya, Sri Lanka, where India and Sri Lanka are participating in the bilateral military exercise Mitra Shakti 2024.
15 Aug 2024, 11:45:33 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: CJI DY Chandrachud says Independence Day ‘reminds us of the duties…’
CJI DY Chandrachud says, "... This is the day which reminds us of the duties we have to discharge towards each other and the nation in realising all the values of the constitution."
15 Aug 2024, 11:43:54 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: "Borders are safe": IG BSF Jammu greets countrymen on 78th Independence Day
Inspector General (IG) Border Security Force (BSF) Jammu frontier DK Boora assured the countrymen that the borders are safe as he greeted them on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day.
Speaking on the security arrangements along the international border, IG Boora said, "We have manned all borders and we will ensure that the nation continues to celebrate all our Independence Days with equal zeal. BSF will stand guard and ensure no infiltration takes place."
"On behalf of the BSF, I would like to assure all the countrymen that our borders are safe. I wish the countrymen a happy 78th Independence Day," he said.
15 Aug 2024, 11:43:00 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Arvind Kejriwal's wife says 'No Flag hoisting at Delhi CM's residence, reflects ‘dictatorship’
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal tweets, "Today, the National Flag was not hoisted at the CM's residence. It is very sad. This dictatorship can keep an elected Chief Minister in jail, but how can it contain the patriotism of the heart…"
15 Aug 2024, 11:37:21 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Watch | Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla hoisted the Tiranga at his residence
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla hoisted the Tiranga at his residence in Delhi, on the 78th Independence Day today.
15 Aug 2024, 11:36:23 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: What did Salman Khurshid say on PM Modi's call for secular civil code
On PM Narendra Modi's call for a 'secular civil code', Congress leader Salman Khurshid says, "Constitution is first, it is above everything. Even the Prime Minister says this..."
15 Aug 2024, 11:35:01 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: MP to raise its share in country's economy to 5 pc in next 5 years: CM Yadav
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said his government has resolved to take up the state's contribution in the country's economy to five per cent from the present four per cent in the next five years.
"Bharat has carved its niche in the world under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the last decade, the country has made strides. Under his leadership, the country is developing fast and becoming powerful," Yadav said. "Bharat is marching ahead to achieve the target of becoming the world's third economy. The state has resolved to raise its contribution in the country's economy from four per cent to five per cent in the next five years," he said.
15 Aug 2024, 10:54:43 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Modi delivers longest ever I-Day speech by an Indian PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday delivered his longest Independence Day speech at 98 minutes as he addressed the country from the ramparts of historic Red Fort. Modi's Independence Day speeches average at 82 minutes — longer than any other prime minister in India's history. His longest I-day speech before Thursday was 96 minutes in 2016 while his shortest speech was in 2017 when he spoke for around 56 minutes
15 Aug 2024, 10:26:05 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: ‘Request all countrymen and political parties to come forward for one nation one election’ says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, in his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day emphasised bringing one nation and one election in the country adding that these days every welfare scheme is linked to elections.
“Continuous elections in the country are causing headraces in development. Welfare schemes in the country are now linked to the elections. Every three to six months we have elections, every work in the country is now linked to elections. A wide range of discussions have already happened. Every political party has already expressed their views. A committee has already submitted the report on this. The nation has to come forward for one nation and one election. I request all political parties from the Red Fort to come forward for one nation and one election."
15 Aug 2024, 10:12:45 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: PM Modi make fresh pitch for 'one nation, one election'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made a strong pitch for 'one nation, one election' and urged political parties to come forward to realise the dream while contending that frequent polls were creating hurdles in the nation's progress.
"Frequent elections are creating hurdles in the progress of the nation. It has become easy to link any scheme/initiative with elections. There are elections somewhere every three to six months. Every work is linked to elections," Modi said from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
"The nation has to come forward for one nation, one election," he said.
15 Aug 2024, 09:52:41 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Govt will build such an education system so that youngsters need not go abroad:PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his government wants to build such an education system in the country so that youngsters need not have to go abroad for studies. "We want to build such an education system in India that youngsters do not need to go abroad to study. In fact we would want foreign students to come here and study," he said.
15 Aug 2024, 09:41:07 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma hoists national flag
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday hoisted the national flag at the Chief Minister's residence on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day.
15 Aug 2024, 09:40:13 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Antony Blinken extends wishes to India on its 78th Independence Day
In an official statement, Blinken said, “On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of India as they celebrate the anniversary of their country's independence on August 15. On this momentous day, we celebrate the rich and diverse history of the Indian people and the bright future of US-Indian relations."
15 Aug 2024, 09:35:38 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Special Bhasma Aarti performed at Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on Independence Day
A special Bhasma Aarti was performed at Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district on the occasion of 78th Independence Day on Thursday. Priest of the temple, Ashish Sharma said, "According to tradition, the doors of Baba Mahakal were opened in the Brahma Muhurta and a holy bath of Lord Mahakal was performed with Panchamrit, which included milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey. Thereafter, Baba Mahakal was decorated in the form of Tricolour. Our pride is Tiranga so, lighting on the premises of the temple and decoration of Baba Mahakal attached us with the nation."
15 Aug 2024, 09:32:34 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde hoists the national flag on the occassion
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on Thursday hoisted the national flag at the Chief Minister's residence on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day.
15 Aug 2024, 09:31:06 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Large number of global companies want to invest in India: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said many global companies want to invest in India and asked the state governments to compete among themselves to attract them.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day here, Modi said most of the people he met in his third term wanted to invest in India.
"It's a golden opportunity" to make India a hub of global manufacturing, he said, and called upon state governments to make polices to attract investment, while ensuring good governance and law and order.
15 Aug 2024, 09:28:31 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: PM Modi greets the crowd
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the crowd
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15 Aug 2024, 09:18:41 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: PM Modi calls for ‘secular civil code’
PM Narendra Modi says, "Supreme Court has held discussions regarding Uniform Civil Code again and again, it has given orders several times. A large section of the country believes - and it is true, that the Civil Code that we are living with is actually a Communal Civil Code in a way...I would say that it is the need of the hour to that there be a Secular Civil Code in the country...only then would we be free of the discrimination on the basis of religion..."
15 Aug 2024, 09:13:19 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: ‘Need to transform agriculture sector’: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed the need to transform the agricultural sector and said the government is making comprehensive efforts to make the lives of farmers better. "It is very important to transform our agriculture system. This is the need of the hour," he said.
15 Aug 2024, 09:10:29 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: PM Modi mentions Hindus' security in Bangladesh, says 'Indians want normalised situation'
PM Narendra Modi says, "As a neighbouring country, I can understand the concern regarding whatever has happened in Bangladesh. I hope that the situation there gets normal at the earliest. The concerns of 140 crore countrymen to ensure the safety of Hindus and minorities there - India always wants our neighbouring countries to walk the path of prosperity and peace. We are committed to peace...In the days to come, we will continue to wish well for Bangladesh in its 'Vikas Yatra' because we think about the welfare of humankind."
15 Aug 2024, 09:04:13 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: PM Modi congratulates all athletes and players, says ‘Dream of India to host 2036 Olympics’
PM Narendra Modi says, "Today, we also have with us the youth who made the Indian flag fly high in #Olympics. On behalf of 140 crore countrymen, I congratulate all our athletes and players...In the next few days, a huge contingent of India will leave for Paris to participate in the Paralympics. I extend best wishes to all our Paralympians...India organising the G20 Summit on a large scale has proven that India has the capability to organise large-scale events...It is the dream of India to host 2036 Olympics, we are making preparations for that..."
15 Aug 2024, 09:02:49 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Maldives Prez Dr Mohamed Muizzu congratulates India on its 78th Independence Day
President of Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu congratulates India on its 78th Independence Day
15 Aug 2024, 08:57:15 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: PM Modi calls for publicising punishments for atrocities against women to instill fear of consequences
PM Narendra Modi says, "...I would like to express my pain once again, from the Red Fort today. As a society, we will have to think seriously about the atrocities against women that are happening - there is outrage against this in the country. I can feel this outrage. The country, society, State Governments will have to take this seriously. Speedy investigation of crimes against women, those executing these monstrous deeds be awarded strict punishment at the earliest - this is important to instil confidence in society. I would also like to say that when rapes and incidents of atrocities on women occur, it is widely discussed. But when a person of such monstrous tendency is punished, it is not seen in news, but restricted to a corner. It is the need of the hour, that extensive discussion on those receiving punishment be held so that those committing this sin understand that this leads to hanging. I think it is very important to instil this fear."
15 Aug 2024, 08:40:11 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: PM Modi speaks on students going abroad for studies, says ‘want to build an education system that…’
We want to build such an education system in country that students don't have to go abroad for studies: PM Modi.
15 Aug 2024, 08:38:40 AM IST
Independence Day 2024 Live: Indian banks among select strong banks globally: PM Modi
Indian banks are among the few banks that are strong globally, owing to major reforms undertaken by his government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing the nation from the ramparts of historic Red Fort.
"Just imagine what was the condition of our banking sector. There was no growth, no expansion, and there was no faith (in the banking system). Our banks were going through difficult times...We took big reforms to make the banking sector strong. Today, because of the reforms, our banks are among the few strong banks globally," Modi said.
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