Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lead India’s 78th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in Delhi on August 15. The Prime Minister will unfurl the National Flag and deliver his customary address to the nation from the ramparts of the iconic monument.
This year’s celebration theme, “Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” aims to renew focus on the government’s efforts to transform India into a developed nation by 2047. In a bid to increase public participation, approximately 6,000 special guests from various walks of life have been invited to witness the ceremony.
The diverse guest list includes youth, tribal community members, farmers, women, and individuals who have excelled in various fields through government initiatives. Notable invitees include beneficiaries of schemes such as Atal Innovation Mission, PM SHRI, and volunteers from Mera Yuva Bharat and National Service Scheme.
The Indian contingent from the recent Paris Olympics will also be present, along with representatives from Aspirational Blocks Programme, Border Roads Organisation, and Gram Panchayats that have achieved saturation in priority sector schemes.
The ceremony will feature a Guard of Honour consisting of one officer & 24 personnel each from the Army, Navy, Air Force & Delhi Police. The Indian Navy is the coordinating service this year.
The Guard of Honour will be commanded by Commander Arun Kumar Mehta. The Army contingent in the Prime Minister’s Guard will be commanded by Major Arjun Singh, the Naval contingent by Lieutenant Commander Gulia Bhavesh NK and the Air Force contingent by Squadron Leader Akshara Uniyal. The Delhi Police contingent will be commanded by Additional DCP Anurag Dwivedi.
Lieutenant Sanjeet Saini will assist the Prime Minister in unfurling the National Flag. It will be synchronised with the 21 Gun Salute by the valiant gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial). The ceremonial battery, utilising the indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns, will be commanded by Major Sabnis Kaushik and the Gun Position Officer will be Naib Subedar (AIG) Anuthosh Sarkar.
The National Flag Guard, comprising one officer and 32 Other Ranks each from the Army, Navy & Air Force and 128 personnel of Delhi Police, will present the Rashtriya Salute at the time of unfurling of the National Flag by the Prime Minister. Commander Vinay Dubey will be in command of this Inter-Services Guard and Police Guard.
After being unfurled, the Tricolour will receive a ‘Rashtriya Salute’. The Punjab Regiment Military band, consisting of one JCO and 25 Other Ranks, will play the National Anthem during the unfurling of the National Flag and present the ‘Rashtriya Salute’. The Band will be conducted by Subedar Major Rajinder Singh.
After the showering of flower petals, the Prime Minister will address the Nation. At the conclusion of his speech, the cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) will sing the National Anthem. A total of 2,000 boy and girl cadets (Army, Navy and Air Force) from different schools across the country will participate in the celebrations. These cadets will be seated on Gyanpath, opposite the Rampart.
They will be forming ‘My bhaart’ logo with customised tricolour kits. A total of 500 National Service Scheme (NSS) Volunteers will also take part.
(Inputs from ANI)