Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in his address to the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort in Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day on Friday, said India's efforts to resolve outstanding issues with Pakistan should not be seen as a sign of weakness.

"We hope that Pakistan will put an end to activities that are detrimental to India," he said.

He invited Pakistan to take the road to peace and said the people of the two countries must fight poverty, instead of each other.

The prime minister arrived at the Red Fort at 0730, inspected the guard of honour and unfurled the national flag.

Earlier, he went to Rajghat and paid homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

In his 25-minute address, Vajpayee said the recent heart operation of two-year-old Pakistani girl, Noor, is an example of the extent of goodwill India has for its neighbour.

The prime minister said India must protect its unity and integrity at any cost. "National security will be accorded top priority," he asserted.

He said India's foreign policy has enhanced its image globally during the past five years and there has been a noticebale
change in the attitude of the international community towards the country.

Vajpayee said the country's foreign exchange reserves have risen to $ 100 billion and added that there has been a reduction in poverty.

The prime minister announced an ambitious 'Akshaya Patra' scheme to provide mid-day meals to students up to standard V across the country, which would be later extended to pupils up to standard X.

He said under the prime minister's 'Swasthya Suraksha Yojana', six hospitals on the lines of Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences would be set up across the country over the next three years.        

Disapproving of any attempt to divide the country on communal lines, Vajpayee called for vigilance to safeguard the rights and interests of the minorities. He also stressed on the need to provide equal opportunities to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Expressing the government's resolve to fight corruption, Vajpayee said despite pressures he had ensured that the prime minister too was brought under the purview of the Lok Pal Bill.

Reiterating the government's commitment to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and legislatures,
Vajpayee said it could not be achieved so far due to lack of consensus.

He said the government favoured the proposal for 33 per cent double-member constituencies with one seat reserved for
women but welcomed any other constructive alternative.