PM Modi to lead 78th Independence Day celebrations from Red Fort; about 6,000 special guests invited to witness grand ceremony

New Delhi, August 14

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in celebrating the 78th Independence Day from the historic Red Fort in Delhi on August 15. He will unfurl the National Flag and deliver the customary address to the nation from the ramparts of the iconic monument.

The theme of this year's Independence Day is 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047'. The celebrations will serve as a platform to provide a renewed push to the government's efforts towards transforming the country into a developed nation by 2047, an official statement released on Wednesday said.

With the aim to increase Jan Bhagidari in this festival of national fervour, around 6,000 Special Guests have been invited to witness the celebrations at Red Fort this year. These people from different walks of life categorised as youth, tribal communities, farmers, women and other special guests, have excelled in various fields with the help of various government schemes/initiatives.

Students benefiting from the Atal Innovation Mission & PM SHRI (Prime Minister's Schools for Rising India) scheme, and volunteers of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) & National Service Scheme under 'Meri Maati Mera Desh' will attend the event.

The guests also include tribal artisans/Van Dhan Vikas Members and tribal entrepreneurs funded by National Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation; and beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and representatives of Farmers Producing Organisations.

The Indian contingent which took part in the recently-concluded Paris Olympics has also been invited to participate in the celebrations.

Nearly 2,000 people from various states/Union Territories dressed in traditional attire have also been invited to witness the grand ceremony.

Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, the Prime Minister will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.

The Guard of Honour contingent for the Prime Minister will consist of one officer & 24 personnel each from the Army, Navy, Air Force & Delhi Police. The Indian Navy is the coordinating service this year.

Then the Prime Minister will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort. The GoC, Delhi area, will conduct the Prime Minister to the dais on the ramparts to unfurl the National Flag.