Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day.
Earlier, the Prime Minister extended greetings to the nation and paid tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives in the struggle against colonial rule.
In a post on X, PM Modi said the dreams of the freedom fighters continue to inspire the country as it works towards building a Viksit Bharat.
“Warm greetings on the occasion of Independence Day. We remember with gratitude the countless freedom fighters whose courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment ensured the end of colonial rule. Their dreams continue to inspire us as we work together to build a Viksit Bharat,” the Prime Minister said.
He added that India, powered by 140 crore people, is scaling new heights of progress across sectors and expressed hope that the country’s development journey would continue at an even greater pace.
India gained independence from British colonial rule on August 15, 1947.
Prime Minister Modi will lead the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in Delhi on Saturday. This year’s celebrations will mark 150 years of the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ and highlight the role of ‘Yuva Shakti’ in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
For the first time, ‘Vande Mataram’ will be rendered during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.
According to an official press release, the Prime Minister will be received at the Red Fort by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. He will then receive the Guard of Honour comprising personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police.
The Prime Minister will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort, where he will hoist the National Flag, assisted by Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan.
The flag hoisting will be synchronised with a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial), using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns.
Following the flag hoisting, the National Flag Guard comprising personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police will present the Rashtriya Salute. The Army band will then play ‘Vande Mataram’, which will be sung by those present at the Red Fort, followed by the National Anthem.
Two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force will shower flower petals at the venue. One helicopter will carry the National Flag, while the other will carry a flag depicting ‘Vande Mataram’.
Prime Minister Modi will subsequently address the nation, marking his 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
At the conclusion of his address, NCC cadets and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers will sing ‘Vande Mataram’, followed by the National Anthem.
A total of 2,500 boys and girls from the Army, Navy and Air Force, along with ‘My Bharat’ volunteers, will participate in the celebrations. They will be seated on Gyanpath and form the words ‘Vande Mataram’. View cutters displaying the theme ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ will also be installed at Gyanpath.
Around 5,000 special guests from different walks of life have been invited to attend the celebrations, including women entrepreneurs, sanitation workers, street vendors, youth innovators, scientists, start-up founders, artisans, farmers, students and beneficiaries of various government schemes.
More than 1,500 people from different States and Union Territories, dressed in traditional attire, will also witness the ceremony, the press release stated.
-ANI
