PM Narendra Modi's Dussehra speech in Lucknow: As it happened

ALSO READ: PM Modi talks on terrorism in Lucknow on Dussehra - Here's what he said

Women need to be respected and treated right, no matter what religion or background one comes from: PM Modi

So when we burn Ravana, we should remember that humanity can't be saved lest we fight terrorism together: PM Modi

Everyone has to speak in one voice against terrorism: PM Modi

Everyone has to speak in one voice against terrorism: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 11, 2016

Today is the International Day of the Girl Child. There is a need to end discrimination based on gender: PM

Today is the International Day of the Girl Child. There is a need to end discrimination based on gender: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 11, 2016

Ramayana is the witness, that the first fighter against terrorism was Jataayu, who fought for a woman's honor: PM Modi in Lucknow

So even if all of us can't be Lord Ram, we can all try and be Jatayu, and keep terrorism at bay: PM Modi in Lucknow

If you think that we are free from terrorism, then you are wrong. It is a virus affecting our society: PM Modi in Lucknow

The whole world is being destroyed by terrorism. For 2 days we are looking at a picture of a small girl from Syria: PM Modi

After 26/11 Mumbai attacks, world's view of terror has changed: PM Modi

Terrorism is an enemy of humanity, says PM Modi

Terrorism is an enemy of humanity: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 11, 2016

The uniqueness of this nation is - our traditions have been kept alive, generation after generation: PM Modi

The uniqueness of this nation is- our traditions have been kept alive, generation after generation: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 11, 2016

We burn Ravan every year, what does it teach us? Everytime we do that we should promise to kill the Ravan within ourselves and in the society: PM Modi

This land has given us Shri Ram and Shri Krishna. I am fortunate to have come here to join the Vijaya Dashmi celebrations: PM Modi

This land has given us Shri Ram and Shri Krishna. Am fortunate to have come here to join the Vijaya Dashmi celebrations: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 11, 2016

This is PM Modi's first speech after surgical strikes

My greetings on the auspicious occasion of Vijaya Dashmi: PM Modi begins his speech at Lucknow

My greetings on the auspicious occasion of Vijaya Dashmi: PM @narendramodi begins his speech at Lucknow

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 11, 2016

PM Modi begins his Dussehra address at Aishbagh maidan in Lucknow with 'Jai Shri Ram' chant, wishes everyone a happy Vijaya Dashami

This Lucknow is my home, so on behalf of the city I welcome the PM once more: HM Rajnath Singh

PM Narendra Modi taking India to great heights, wiping out corruption, says Rajnath Singh in Lucknow

Union Home Minister and BJP's MP from Lucknow welcomes PM Narendra Modi, thanks him for choosing the UP's capital for Dussehra celebrations

Dussehra Mahotsav: When UP CM Akhilesh Yadav received PM Narendra Modi at Lucknow airport

PM Narendra Modi reaches Lucknow's Aishbagh Ramleela Ground. He will deliver Dussehra address shortly.

PM Narendra will be at the Aishbagh Ramlila maidan for an hour during which he will make a short speech. He has already termed this Vijayadashami as a special one.

Taking to Facebook, PM Narendra Modi wrote, "Reached Lucknow where I will join Vijaya Dashmi celebrations. Looking forward to the programme."

This is PM Narendra Modi's first big speech after Indian Army's surgical strikes.

PM Narendra Modi heads for Aishbagh to address Dussehra gathering. The address by PM likely to begin around 6 PM.

PM Narendra Modi at Vijaya Dashami celebrations in Lucknow - WATCH LIVE WEBCAST

PM Narendra Modi reaches Lucknow; UP CM Akhilesh Yadav welcomes him at the airport. 

PM Narendra Modi had said that this year's Vijaya Dashami is "very special" for the country. He made an apparent reference to the Army's surgical strikes on terror launch pads across Line Of Control (LoC), even as he stressed that a "very capable" armed forces is a must for a strong nation.

PM Narendra Modi leaves for Lucknow where he will join Vijaya Dashmi celebrations.

Leaving for Lucknow where I will join Vijaya Dashmi celebrations. Looking forward to the programme.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 11, 2016

The Aishbagh Ramlila is also seen as a symbol of pluralistic culture, also called 'Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb', as Muslim rulers patronised it and allotted it space equal to Eidgah, which is situated right next to it.

In the absence of strong regional leaders, BJP is again banking on PM Modi's appeal to power its campaign in the state, which it swept in the Lok Sabha polls riding on a national wave in his support but where it is perceived to have slipped since.

PM Modi's visit assumes an added significance because of assembly polls due next year in Uttar Pradesh where the saffron party is making a concerted bid to come back to power after a gap of 15 years and is up against ruling Samajwadi Party and main opposition Mayawati-led BSP.

Usually, the Prime Ministers have celebrated the festival in the national capital.

The Prime Minister will participate in the 'aarti' and then fire the symbolic arrow to burn the effigy of demon king Ravana.

BJP vice president and Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma, who is also the Ramlila's patron, had said that PM Modi has accepted his invitation to attend the October 11 event, which dates back to the times of Hindu saint Tulsidas.

The party had earlier said that Modi will be in the state every month before the campaign picks up when he is expected to address rallies and attend more events.

In May, he had launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana from Uttar Pradesh's Ballia under which cooking gas would be provided to poor families in the country.

During his July visit, he laid the foundation stones for an AIIMS and a fertilizer plant in Gorakhpur.