Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Rajghat in the national capital on Thursday to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the country’s 78th Independence Day. Taking to X, the Prime Minister extended his Independence Day greetings to fellow Indians with a heartfelt, “Jai Hind!”
Hoisting the Tricolour at Red Fort
Following his visit to Rajghat, PM Modi will proceed to the Red Fort to hoist the tricolour. He will deliver his customary address to the nation from this iconic venue, where grand celebrations are set to unfold.
Celebration Theme and Special Guests
The theme for this year’s Independence Day is ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047’. The celebrations aim to reinvigorate efforts towards transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. Approximately 6,000 Special Guests from diverse backgrounds, including youth, tribal communities, farmers, and women, will witness the event at the Red Fort. These guests have excelled in various fields with the help of government schemes and initiatives.
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Notable Attendees
Guests include students from the Atal Innovation Mission and PM SHRI scheme, volunteers of Mera Yuva Bharat and National Service Scheme under ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’, and tribal artisans. Also in attendance are beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and representatives from Farmers Producing Organisations. Additionally, ASHA, ANM, and Anganwadi workers, elected women representatives, and those involved in various government initiatives will be present.
Special Invites and Honours
The Indian contingent from the recent Paris Olympics has been invited, along with one guest from each block of the Aspirational Blocks Programme, Border Roads Organisation workers, and students from the PRERANA School programme. Sarpanches of Gram Panchayats achieving priority sector scheme saturation, traditional attire wearers from various states, and winners of online competitions organized by the Ministry of Defence will also join the celebration.
Reception and Guard of Honour
Upon arriving at the Red Fort, PM Modi will be welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MOS Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. The General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, will then escort the Prime Minister to the Saluting Base, where a combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard will present a general salute.
Guard of Honour Details
The Guard of Honour will include one officer and 24 personnel each from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police. The Indian Navy will coordinate this year’s ceremony. Commander Arun Kumar Mehta will lead the Guard of Honour, with Major Arjun Singh commanding the Army contingent, Lieutenant Commander Gulia Bhavesh NK leading the Naval contingent, Squadron Leader Akshara Uniyal heading the Air Force contingent, and Additional DCP Anurag Dwivedi commanding the Delhi Police contingent.
Unfurling the National Flag
Lieutenant Sanjeet Saini will assist PM Modi in unfurling the National Flag, synchronized with a 21 Gun Salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial). Major Sabnis Kaushik will command the ceremonial battery, utilizing indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns. The National Flag Guard, comprising personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police, will present the Rashtriya Salute.
Flower Petal Shower and National Anthem
After the Tricolour is unfurled, flower petals will be showered by two Advanced Light Helicopters Dhruv of the Indian Air Force, piloted by Wing Commander Amber Agarwal and Wing Commander Rahul Nainwal. Following this, PM Modi will address the nation, and the National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, along with National Service Scheme (NSS) Volunteers, will sing the National Anthem.
Cadets and Volunteers
A total of 2,000 cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and 500 NSS Volunteers will participate in the celebrations. The cadets will form the ‘My Bharat’ logo with customized tricolour kits, adding to the festive and patriotic atmosphere of the day.
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