Kolkata, Aug 15 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that democracy is the country's "most priceless asset" and urged people to take an oath not to divide the country.

She raised the tricolour on Thursday midnight a programme organised on the occasion of the country's 73rd Independence Day near her residence here.

"I salute my nation and all our countrymen & women on Independence Day. Democracy is our most priceless asset. Let us take an oath today, not to divide India. We must unite India.

"Irrespective of caste or creed, we are all one India. Secularism is what identifies and unites us a nation," the chief minister wrote on Twitter.

Banerjee also said that people should also strive for political, economic freedom as well as freedom of expression.

"We must always strive for political freedom, economic freedom, freedom of expression and preserve democratic rights. When these are not given, we should organise peaceful movements to preserve these rights," she added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)