New Delhi: Patriotic fervour has gripped the entire nation as the country celebrates 75 years of Independence on Monday.
The momentous occasion is being celebrated across the country through a series of events. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations and deliver the customary address from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort in the capital on Monday morning.
Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, the Prime Minister will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt and Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar.
The Defence Secretary will introduce the General Officer Commanding Delhi Area, Lt Gen Vijay Kumar Mishra to the Prime Minister. The GoC Delhi Area will then conduct PM Modi to the Saluting Base where a combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard will present general salute to the PM. Thereafter, the Prime Minister will inspect the Guard of Honour.
The Guard of Honour contingent for the Prime Minister will consist of one officer and 20 men each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police.
After unfurling of the National Flag by the Prime Minister, flower petals will be showered at the venue in Amrit Formation by two MI-17 1V Helicopters.
After the showering of flower petals, the Prime Minister will address the Nation.
At the conclusion of the speech of the Prime Minister, the NCC cadets will sing the National Anthem. A total of 792 boy and girl NCC cadets consisting of cadets from Army, Navy and Air Force from different schools across the country will take part in this festival of National Fervour.
These cadets will be seated at Gyan Path in front of the Red Fort's ramparts in a geographical formation of the Map of India. They will adorn dresses of the regions they are representing, symbolising India's cultural diversity. It is being done to carry forward the message of 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat'.
In order to mark 75 years of Independence, a number of new initiative have been taken this year.
For the first time, a home-grown howitzer gun, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System prototype will be used for the ceremonial 21-gun salute during the Independence Day ceremony at Red Fort. The completely indigenous gun, designed and developed by DRDO, will give the 21-Gun Salute along with the British guns which are being traditionally fired till now.
A team of DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune led by scientists and artillery officers worked in this project to make it possible.
Special Invitations have also been sent for Independence Day celebrations this year, as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
A section of society which usually is overlooked has been invited as special guests to attend the main event at Red Fort. It includes anganwadi workers, street vendors, mudra scheme borrowers, mortuary workers etc.
In the run up to the Independence Day 2022 celebrations, a number of special programmes have been organised.
A special Youth Exchange Programme has been organised between August 09-17 for the first time as part of Independence Day celebrations.
A total of 26 officers and 126 cadets from 14 countries – US, UK, Argentina, Brazil, Fiji, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, The Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Seychelles, UAE and Uzbekistan are in India for the Independence Day celebrations.
Apart from attending the main event at Red Fort, the youth are scheduled to be visiting places of cultural and historical importance in Delhi and Agra.
According to the Defence Ministry, the 126 youth have been selected through a nation-wide competition organised in different countries, wherein lakhs of students participated.
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