Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday hoisted the National Flag at his residence in New Delhi on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day.
Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and G Kishan Reddy also hoisted the Tricolour at their respective residences and extended greetings to the people.
Chouhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to address the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort and recalled his call for ensuring that the government is visible in people’s lives.
“Heartfelt Independence Day greetings to all my fellow countrymen… The Prime Minister is set to address the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Last year, he stated that the government should be visible in people’s lives rather than just in files, and we have endeavoured to act upon that vision,” Chouhan told reporters.
He urged citizens to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation and perform their duties with honesty and commitment.
“Let us view our work as a service to the nation and continue to serve the country and its people steadfastly,” he said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the nation on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day and paid tribute to the freedom fighters whose courage and sacrifice brought an end to 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.
Meanwhile, 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.
Around 5,000 special guests from different walks of life have been invited to attend the celebrations. They include 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
