Coronavirus is still as dangerous as it was in the beginning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today, as he urged citizens to take a pledge of freedom from the pandemic on August 15, when the country celebrates Independence Day. With over 13 lakh cases, India is the third worst-hit country in the global coronavirus tally after the US and Brazil.

"This year, August 15 celebrations too will be in very different circumstances - in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. I urge the youth, the people of my country to take a pledge of freedom from the pandemic this Independence Day. Take a resolve for a self-reliant India, a resolve to learn and teach something new and a resolve to earnestly carry out our duties," PM Modi said while addressing the nation through his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat.

Though the country is among the worst-hit, it has managed to have a successful recovery rate against the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi said, highlighting India's track record in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pakistan tried to "backstab" India despite her attempts to keep friendly relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today in his tribute to the armed forces on the 21st anniversary of Kargil war.  In his monthly radio address Mann ki Baat, PM Modi said "Pakistan undertook this misadventure with sinister plans to capture India's land and to divert its ongoing internal conflicts".

"Pakistan had the audacity of trying to occupy Indian soil and deviate attention from its own internal unrest," he said.

"At the time, India was trying for improve relations with Pakistan. But as it is said, evil's nature is to fight everyone without reason. People of this nature can only think of doing evil even to those who try to do them good. That's why Pakistan backstabbed India despite India's attempts at cordial relations," he said.

Kargil Diwas  is celebrated every year, marking the day the Indian Army recaptured all the Indian posts in Ladakh's Kargil that had been occupied by Pakistan's army 21 years ago. On July 26, 1999, the Army had announced the successful culmination of "Operation Vijay". The nearly three-month battle in the icy heights of Ladakh had claimed the lives of more than 500 Indian soldiers.