In annual celebrations scaled down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Modi identified health and economic self-reliance as the key priorities for his government.
Even as case numbers soar and more areas impose lockdowns, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this week India was in a "better position that other countries", and winning international praise.
But many experts say that with testing levels low, the extent of the pandemic across the world's second-most populous country may be far worse than officially reported.
His comments prompted Beijing to call for restraint at the tense border area in the northern Himalayan region of Ladakh.
India says Chinese troops have intruded across the Line of Actual Control, or the ceasefire line separating the two armies in the high altitude Ladakh region.
Irked by BJP-led government's non-serious behaviour over disclosing facts, people filed several petitions in Indian courts under the Right to Information Act seeking more checks and balances
At an opening up of mining to the private sector titled "Unleashing Coal", Modi said he wanted India, with the world's fourth largest coal reserves, to be a net exporter of coal.
Modi, in a Twitter message, called for an all-party meeting on Friday to discuss the situation, but did not make any other comment on the confrontation between neighbours.
In places of worship, people will be asked to wash their hands and feet before entering, and there will be no distribution of food offerings or sprinkling of holy water or touching of idols and holy books.