6,000 special guests invited to 78th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort

Students participate in a programme on the eve of Independence Day at a school, in Moradabad on August 14, 2024. (PTI Photo)

The upcoming 78th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort on August 15 are set to be a grand affair, with a diverse group of 6,000 special guests invited to witness the occasion. These invitees, who represent various segments of Indian society, include participants in the Paris Olympics, students benefiting from the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), workers from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and sarpanches from gram panchayats across the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in the celebrations, which will begin with the unfurling of the national flag, followed by his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort. This year’s Independence Day theme is 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047', reflecting the government’s vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.

In a statement, the Defence Ministry emphasized the significance of involving the general public in the celebrations, saying, "With the aim to increase 'Jan Bhagidari' in this festival of national fervour, around 6,000 special guests have been invited to witness the celebrations at Red Fort this year. These people from different walks of life, categorised as youth, tribal community, farmers, women and other special guests, have excelled in various fields with the help of various government schemes/initiatives."

Volunteers from Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) and the National Service Scheme under the 'Meri Maati Mera Desh' initiative are among those who will be attending the event.

The guest list also includes tribal artisans, members of 'Van Dhan Vikas,' and tribal entrepreneurs funded by the National Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation, as well as beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Representatives from farmers' producer organizations will also be present.

Additionally, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM), Anganwadi workers, elected women representatives, and beneficiaries of initiatives such as Sankalp: Hub for Empowerment of Women, Lakhpati Didi, Drone Didi, and Sakhi Kendra schemes, along with workers from Child Welfare Committees and district child protection units, are expected to witness the ceremony.

The Indian contingent that recently participated in the Paris Olympics has also been invited to the celebrations, according to the ministry.

Other attendees include one guest from each block of the Aspirational Blocks Programme, workers from the Border Roads Organisation, students from the PRERANA School programme, and sarpanches of gram panchayats that have achieved saturation in priority sector schemes.

In addition, nearly 2,000 people from various states and union territories, dressed in their traditional attire, have been invited to witness the grand ceremony. Three thousand winners of different online competitions organized by the Defence Ministry in collaboration with MyGov and Akashvani will also participate.

This year, the Guard of Honour contingent, coordinated by the Indian Navy, will include personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police. The Prime Minister will be assisted by Lieutenant Sanjeet Saini in unfurling the national flag, which will be synchronized with a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns.

As part of the festivities, 2,000 cadets from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) will participate in the celebrations, forming the 'My Bharat' logo with customized tricolour kits. Additionally, 500 NSS volunteers will take part in the event, enhancing the patriotic spirit of the occasion.

(With PTI inputs)