Highlights of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Independence Day speech.

* Without understanding and restraint, our security and integrity can get adversely affected.

* Some people who want to create disturbances in the country so that our progress gets stalled.

* This is the time "to rise above our personal or political interests and build consensus on issues of national importance".

* We have provided political stability and socio and economic progress.

* We have established an environment of communal harmony in the country.

* His seven years have seen rapid economic development.

* We have taken special care of the needs of our brothers and sisters from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, minorities, women and children.

* Promises food security legislation soon.

* The country is full of "confidence and self-respect".

* Corruption is a big obstacle in national transformation.

* Corruption should be discussed in a manner that "should not create an atmosphere in which country's progress comes into question".

* The government is taking strictest possible action in cases of corruption.

* There is no single big step which we can take to eradicate corruption.

* Corruption cannot be eradicated unless "we improve our justice delivery system".

* Want strong Lokpal to prevent corruption in high places.

* Hunger strikes and fast-unto-death will not help.

* Nothing should be done to dilute independence of the judiciary.

* Acknowledges "misuse of governmental discretion in allocation of scarce resources".

* Government taking steps to reduce corruption in government projects.

* Government will lay down principles and practices with regard to government purchases.

* No government has a "magic wand" to eradicate corruption.

* We have to fight against corruption on many fronts.

* Compliments farmers on producing a record level food grains.

* We need a second Green Revolution.

* Acknowledges "a phase of sustained high inflation".

* Our government fully understands its responsibility to control rise in prices.

* International markets fuel inflation in India.

* Finding a solution to inflation will be our top most priority in the coming months.

* Land acquisition must be transparent and fair.

* Government will establish a new Education Commission to suggest improvements in education at all levels.

* 12th Five Year Plan should focus on health.

* Investment in infrastructure has grown more than one-and-a-half times in the last seven years.

* "We want to make India slum-free...We want the slum dwellers to get ownership of clean houses."

* "Malnutrition in women and children is a matter of concern for all of us."

* Declining sex ratio "a matter of deep regret...essential to change the approach with which our society views girls and women".

* Should not lower guard against terrorism; it is a long battle to be fought jointly by the central government, state governments and citizens.

* Will eradicate the very reasons which gave rise to Naxalism.

* Warns against climate change and promises "an environmental assessment and monitoring authority to streamline the process of environmental clearances".

* Acknowledges the younger generation's higher aspirations; institutions should tap our people's potential.

* "Our entrepreneurs and businessmen should not feel constrained in their activities."

* "We should all stay away from tactics that create suspicion or apprehension among those connected with industry, business and investment."

* Development should not increase inequalities.

* We have the collective capacities and the confidence to deal with tensions and conflicts in society.