As India approaches its 77th Independence Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is set to lead the nation in commemorating this significant occasion from the iconic Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 2023. The Prime Minister will perform the ceremonial flag hoisting and deliver his customary address to the nation from the historic ramparts of the Red Fort, marking the culmination of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.
The ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative, launched by Prime Minister Modi on March 12, 2021, from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is a vibrant commemoration of India’s journey towards self-reliance and progress. This year’s Independence Day celebrations will not only honor the nation’s past but also herald the vision of a developed India by 2047.
The event will witness a diverse gathering of around 1,800 specially invited guests from various fields, each accompanied by their spouse, reflecting the government’s commitment to ‘Jan Bhagidari’ or public participation. Notably, more than 400 Sarpanches (village heads) from dynamic villages, 250 beneficiaries of the Farmer Producer Organizations scheme, participants from Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, as well as various other categories including teachers, nurses, and fishermen, will be in attendance.
The festivities will also include seventy-five couples representing each State and Union Territory, adorned in their traditional attire, to witness the ceremony. Additionally, the occasion will feature twelve designated selfie points, each highlighting a different government initiative, spread across iconic landmarks in Delhi. As part of an online selfie contest hosted by the Ministry of Defence, people are encouraged to share their selfies taken at these locations on the MyGov portal from August 15-20, with a chance to win Rs 10,000 each.
The ceremony itself will commence with Prime Minister Modi’s arrival at the Red Fort, where he will be received by top defense officials. A combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard will present a salute, after which the Prime Minister will inspect the Guard of Honour. This year, the Indian Army will coordinate the Guard of Honour, symbolizing the unity of the nation’s armed forces.
The momentous occasion will culminate with the unfurling of the National Flag, synchronized with a 21 Gun Salute. Flower petals will shower the venue as the Prime Minister addresses the nation, and the event will conclude with the singing of the National Anthem by National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets.
In addition to the patriotic fervor, the G-20 logo will be intricately woven into the floral decorations, adding a global touch to this grand celebration of India’s progress and unity. The Independence Day festivities at the Red Fort exemplify the spirit of India’s freedom, aspirations, and shared commitment to realizing a prosperous future.
