Paris Olympians invited to 78th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort

• Image Credit: Google

• Aug 14, 2024 | Guriya Khatun

Around 6,000 special guests from various backgrounds have been invited to attend the celebrations at the Red Fort. 

Digital Desk: The Indian contingent from the recently concluded Paris Olympics has been invited to the 78th Independence Day celebrations, which will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15 at the historic Red Fort in Delhi. During the event, PM Modi will raise the Tricolour and deliver his traditional address to the nation from the iconic monument.

This year's Independence Day theme is 'Viksit Bharat,' reflecting the government’s ambitious goal to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, marking a century of independence.

Special Guests

Around 6,000 special guests from various backgrounds have been invited to attend the celebrations at the Red Fort. These include individuals who have excelled in their fields through various government schemes and initiatives, such as students benefiting from the Atal Innovation Mission and the Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India scheme, as well as volunteers from Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) and the National Service Scheme under ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh.’ Tribal artisans and entrepreneurs funded by the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation, beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and representatives of Farmers Producing Organisations will also be present.

Additionally, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM), Anganwadi workers, elected women representatives, and beneficiaries of Sankalp Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion, as well as workers from the Child Welfare Committee and District Child Protection Units, will attend the event. One representative from each Aspirational Block Programme, Border Roads Organisation workers, PRERANA School students, and sarpanches of Gram Panchayats achieving saturation in priority sector schemes are also invited.

Approximately 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 will also join the celebrations.

The Ceremony

Upon arrival at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Modi will be welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. The Defence Secretary will introduce General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, who will then guide the Prime Minister to the saluting base. A combined inter-services and Delhi Police Guard will present a general salute to the Prime Minister, followed by an inspection of the Guard of Honour.

The Guard of Honour will include personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police, with the Indian Navy coordinating this year. The Army contingent will be led 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.

Following the inspection, the Prime Minister will proceed to the ramparts to hoist the National Flag. Lieutenant Sanjeet Saini will assist with the flag-hoisting, synchronized with a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial), commanded by Major Sabnis Kaushik. The National Flag Guard, comprising officers and personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police, will present the ‘Rashtriya Salute.’

As the Tricolour is hoisted, 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. Following the flag-hoisting, the Prime Minister will address the nation, and the National Anthem will be sung by 2,000 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and 500 National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers.