Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lead the nation in celebrating the 78th Independence Day from the historic Red Fort in Delhi on August 15. During the ceremony, he will unfurl the National Flag and deliver his customary address to the nation from the iconic monument.
This year’s Independence Day theme, “Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” aims to underscore the government’s vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. The celebrations will offer a renewed impetus to this goal.
In an effort to enhance public engagement, approximately 6,000 special guests from various backgrounds will be present at the Red Fort. These guests include youth, tribal community members, farmers, women, and other distinguished individuals who have benefited from various government schemes and initiatives. Notable attendees will include students from the Atal Innovation Mission and PM SHRI (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India), as well as volunteers from Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) and National Service Scheme under the “Meri Maati Mera Desh” program.
Additional guests include tribal artisans and entrepreneurs, beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana schemes, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM), Anganwadi workers, and elected women representatives. The Indian contingent from the recently concluded Paris Olympics, block representatives from the Aspirational Blocks Programme, workers from the Border Roads Organisation, students from the PRERANA School programme, and sarpanches of Gram Panchayats achieving saturation in priority sector schemes will also be present. Nearly 2,000 people from various states and union territories, dressed in traditional attire, and 3,000 winners of online competitions organized by the Ministry of Defence, MyGov, and Akashvani, are invited to witness the event.
Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Modi will be greeted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. The Defence Secretary will introduce Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, the General Officer Commanding (GoC) Delhi Area, who will then escort the Prime Minister to the Saluting Base for a Guard of Honour inspection.
The Guard of Honour will include personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police, with the Indian Navy coordinating the ceremony. The Guard will be commanded by Commander Arun Kumar Mehta, with Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police contingents led by Major Arjun Singh, Lieutenant Commander Gulia Bhavesh NK, Squadron Leader Akshara Uniyal, and Additional DCP Anurag Dwivedi, respectively.
Following the inspection, the Prime Minister will ascend the ramparts of the Red Fort, where he will be joined by top defense and military officials. Lieutenant Sanjeet Saini will assist in unfurling the National Flag, synchronized with a 21-gun salute from the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial), commanded by Major Sabnis Kaushik.
The National Flag Guard, comprising personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police, will present a Rashtriya Salute during the flag unfurling. The Punjab Regiment Military Band, led by Subedar Major Rajinder Singh, will play the National Anthem.
As the National Flag is unfurled, flower petals will be showered from two Advanced Light Helicopters Dhruv of the Indian Air Force, piloted by Wing Commanders Amber Agarwal and Rahul Nainwal.
The ceremony will conclude with a speech by the Prime Minister, followed by a rendition of the National Anthem by 2,000 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, who will form the “My Bharat” logo with tricolor kits. Additionally, 500 National Service Scheme (NSS) Volunteers will participate in the celebrations.
(With ANI Inputs)
