Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hoisted the national flag at his official residence in Delhi as part of the Independence Day celebrations, ahead of the main event at the Red Fort in the national capital. Meanwhile, cabinet ministers and other dignitaries began arriving at the Red Fort, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to deliver his 11th consecutive address to the nation.
Among those present were Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. They joined other leaders, including Giriraj Singh, Manohar Lal Khattar, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chirag Paswan, and Bhupender Yadav, to participate in the 78th Independence Day celebrations.
The Indian Olympic contingent was also invited to attend the event at the Red Fort. The venue was decorated with flowers in the national flag’s colours, and preparations were in full swing for the day’s events.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan extended his best wishes to citizens, emphasizing the sacrifices made by freedom fighters. He highlighted the importance of working towards the vision of a developed India by 2047, as outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
From Srinagar and Ladakh to the national capital, the country is uniting to celebrate its freedom on August 15. The national flag is widely visible, being sold in shops and on the streets. The three colours—saffron, white, and green—are dominating the markets, symbolizing the nation’s unity.
Embracing the Tiranga is seen not only as a tribute to the past but also as a commitment to the values of justice, equality, and progress. It serves as a beacon of hope and pride, inspiring every Indian to strive for a brighter and more inclusive future.
This year’s Independence Day theme, ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047,’ aims to propel the government’s efforts toward making India a developed nation by 2047. In line with the theme of increasing public participation, around 6,000 special guests from various backgrounds have been invited to witness the celebrations at the Red Fort. These guests include youth, tribal communities, farmers, women, and others who have excelled through various government initiatives.
Students benefiting from the Atal Innovation Mission and the PM SHRI scheme, as well as volunteers from Mera Yuva Bharat and the National Service Scheme under the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ initiative, will be attending the event. The guest list also includes tribal artisans, Van Dhan Vikas members, and tribal entrepreneurs supported by the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation, along with beneficiaries of key agricultural schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
ASHA workers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, Anganwadi workers, elected women representatives, and beneficiaries of women empowerment programs like the Sankalp Hub for Empowerment of Women, Lakhpati Didi, Drone Didi, and the Sakhi Kendra scheme will also be present. Additionally, workers from the Child Welfare Committee and District Child Protection Units, representatives from the Aspirational Blocks Programme, and workers from the Border Roads Organisation will attend.
The event will see nearly 2,000 people from various states and union territories dressed in traditional attire. Additionally, 3,000 winners of online competitions organized by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with MyGov and Akashvani will be part of the celebrations.
A total of 2,000 cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, representing different schools across the country, will participate in the ceremony. These cadets will be seated on Gyanpath, opposite the Red Fort rampart, forming the ‘My Bharat’ logo with customized tricolour kits. Additionally, 500 National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers will also take part in the celebrations.