PM addresses nation amid drizzle; sun plays hide and seek

New Delhi, Aug 15 (UNI) Heavens opened thrice, albeit slightly, as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today started addressing the nation and the sun continued to play hide and seek behind the clouds which had gathered menacingly for a while over the Red Fort, the venue for the celebrations of 62nd Independence Day.

As soon as Dr Singh started his 40-minute speech at 0735 hrs soon after the national anthem, light showers began, giving jitters to the those present there that weather might play spoilsport at the majestic event.

But later weather befitted the occasion. As the speech of the Prime Minister progressed and he started waxing eloquent about the sunny achievements of his UPA government, the sun started coming out from behind the dark clouds amid much cheers and thundering of claps from schoolchildren present there.

As the PM spoke about rising India, the sun kept rising steadily behind him with its rays beaming down on his back and the faces of the audiences there.

The drizzle occurred thrice during the PM speech, forcing SPG officials to open an umbrella over his head. Some of his cabinet colleagues, including Lalu Prasad and Ramvilas Paswan present in the VVIP section, were also seen opening their umbrellas to avoid themselves getting wet.

The ground at the Red Fort was also marshy because of overnight rain, resulting in some people and children slipping and hurting themselves slightly during the celebrations.

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