India is celebrating its 78th Independence Day with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort. This marks PM Modi’s 11th Independence Day speech.
As the National Flag was hoisted by the Prime Minister, flower petals were showered at the venue by two Advanced Light Helicopters Dhruv of the Indian Air Force in the Line Astern Formation. The captains of the helicopters were Wing Commander Amber Agarwal and Wing Commander Rahul Nainwal.
After hoisting the Tricolour, the Prime Minister received a ‘Rashtriya Salute’. The Punjab Regiment Military Band, consisting of one JCO and 25 Other Ranks, played the National Anthem during the flag hoisting and presented the ‘Rashtriya Salute’. The Band was conducted by Subedar Major Rajinder Singh.
Earlier, the Prime Minister took to his social media app X to greet the country: “Independence Day greetings to my fellow Indians. Jai Hind!” PM Modi posted on X on Thursday.
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Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, PM Modi was received by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. The Defence Secretary introduced the General Officer Commanding (GoC) Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, to the Prime Minister.
The GoC, Delhi Area, then conducted PM Narendra Modi to the Saluting Base, where a combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard presented a general salute to the Prime Minister. Subsequently, PM Modi inspected the Guard of Honour.
The Guard of Honour contingent for the Prime Minister consists of one officer and 24 personnel each from the Army, Air Force, and Delhi Police. The Guard of Honour was commanded by Commander Arun Kumar Mehta. The Army contingent was commanded by Major Arjun Singh, the Naval contingent by Lieutenant Commander Gulia Bhavesh NK, the Air Force contingent by Squadron Leader Akshara Uniyal, and the Delhi Police contingent by Additional DCP Anurag Dwivedi.
With the aim of increasing public participation in this festival of national fervour, around 6,000 special guests have been invited to witness the celebrations at the Red Fort this year. The theme of this year’s Independence Day is ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047’, which highlights the government’s efforts to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.
(WITH INPUTS FROM ANI)
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