India will celebrate its 79th Independence Day on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding over the festivities from the historic Red Fort in Delhi.
The Prime Minister will raise the National Flag and deliver an address to the nation from the fort’s ramparts.
This year’s celebrations, themed ‘Naya Bharat’, highlight the country’s ongoing progress towards the government’s vision of a developed India, or Viksit Bharat, by 2047.
According to an official statement, the occasion will honour the continued emergence of a prosperous, secure and confident ‘Naya Bharat’ (New India), inspiring further momentum along the path of national development.
The event will also celebrate the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Officials have strengthened security arrangements across the national capital ahead of the Independence Day ceremonies.
Ceremonial Highlights
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will coordinate the national event, which will feature a ceremonial Guard of Honour, a 21-gun salute, and a special flypast displaying both the national flag and the Operation Sindoor flag.
Upon arriving at the Red Fort, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh will welcome PM Modi.
The Prime Minister will then meet Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the Delhi Area, who will escort him to the Saluting Base for the general salute and inspection of the Guard of Honour.
The Guard of Honour, led by Wing Commander AS Sekhon, will comprise 96 personnel, including one officer and 24 members each from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police.
After the inspection, the Chiefs of the three armed forces and the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, will greet PM Modi as he proceeds to the fort’s ramparts.
Flying Officer Rashika Sharma will assist in hoisting the Tricolour, accompanied by a 21-gun salute from the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns.
The hoisted Tricolour will be accorded a ‘Rashtriya Salute’.
The Air Force band, consisting of one Joint Commissioned Officer and 25 other ranks, will perform the national anthem.
Following a shower of flower petals, the Prime Minister will address the nation.
At the end of his speech, cadets from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers will sing the national anthem.
A total of 2,500 cadets and volunteers will participate, representing the Army, Navy and Air Force, and will be seated on Gyanpath opposite the ramparts.
These participants will form the “Naya Bharat” emblem during the celebrations.
Special Invitations and Guests
Invitation cards for the event feature the Operation Sindoor logo and a watermark of the Chenab Bridge.
Approximately 5,000 special guests from diverse backgrounds are likely at the Red Fort, including members of the Indian contingent for Special Olympics 2025, international sports champions, and Gold medallists from the Khelo India Para Games.
To foster a patriotic spirit and celebrate Operation Sindoor, band performances will take place nationwide for the first time on the evening of Independence Day.
These performances will involve bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, NCC, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, BSF, IDS, RPF, and Assam Rifles at over 140 prominent locations across India.
More than 1,500 individuals from various states and Union Territories, dressed in traditional attire, will also attend the grand ceremony.
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