Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Lead 78th Independence Day Celebrations at Red Fort

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in celebrating the 78th Independence Day from the historic Red Fort in Delhi on August 15. In keeping with tradition, he will unfurl the National Flag and deliver the customary address to the nation from the ramparts of the iconic monument.

This year’s Independence Day theme, ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047,’ aims to renew the government’s commitment to transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. The celebrations will highlight the ongoing efforts toward achieving this vision, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.

To increase public participation in the national festivities, around 6,000 special guests from various walks of life have been invited to witness the celebrations at Red Fort. These guests include representatives from youth, tribal communities, farmers, women, and others who have excelled in their fields, often with the support of government initiatives.

Among the invited guests are students benefiting from the Atal Innovation Mission and PM SHRI (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India) scheme, volunteers from the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) and National Service Scheme under the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign, as well as tribal artisans and entrepreneurs funded by the National Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation. Additionally, beneficiaries of various schemes, such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, will also be present.

Health and social workers, including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM), and Anganwadi workers, along with elected women representatives and beneficiaries of women empowerment initiatives, will also attend. The event will see participation from the Indian contingent of the recently concluded Paris Olympics, representatives from the Aspirational Blocks Programme, and students from the PRERANA School programme.

Upon his arrival at Red Fort, Prime Minister Modi will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. The Defence Secretary will introduce the General Officer Commanding (GoC) Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, who will conduct the Prime Minister to the Saluting Base. A combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard will present a general salute, followed by an inspection of the Guard of Honour by the Prime Minister.

This year, the Indian Navy is the coordinating service for the Guard of Honour, which will be commanded by Commander Arun Kumar Mehta. The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police will each be represented by one officer and 24 personnel.

After inspecting the Guard of Honour, Prime Minister Modi will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort, where he will be greeted by senior defence officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, and the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Prime Minister will then unfurl the National Flag, assisted by Lieutenant Sanjeet Saini, synchronized with a 21 Gun Salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns.

The National Flag Guard, comprising one officer and 32 personnel each from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police, will present the Rashtriya Salute as the Tricolour is unfurled. Commander Vinay Dubey will command the Inter-Services and Police Guard, while the Punjab Regiment Military Band will play the National Anthem.

In a patriotic display, flower petals will be showered at the venue by two Advanced Light Helicopters Dhruv of the Indian Air Force, flown by Wing Commanders Amber Agarwal and Rahul Nainwal. Following this, Prime Minister Modi will address the nation.

The event will conclude with the singing of the National Anthem by 2,000 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets from across the country, who will form a ‘My Bharat’ logo with customised tricolour kits. Additionally, 500 National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers will participate in the celebrations, symbolizing the spirit of unity and national pride.