Independence Day: The 78th Independence Day celebrations on Thursday were a spectacular showcase of India’s diversity and progress, drawing a crowd of 6,000 special guests.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the ceremony, unfurling the national flag and addressing the nation from the Red Fort, embodying the theme ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047,’ which reflects the nation’s vision for its future development.
The event saw a rich tapestry of attendees, including the Indian contingent from the Paris Olympics, highlighting the country’s sporting achievements.
Students benefiting from the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the PM SHRI (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India) scheme were present, symbolizing the government’s focus on educational advancement. Workers from the Border Roads Organisation and sarpanches of panchayats that achieved saturation in priority sector schemes also added to the diversity of the gathering.
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Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attended the event, along with NDA allies like Chirag Paswan and Lalan Singh. The front row was graced by Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Amit Shah, and S. Jaishankar, underscoring the significance of the day and the collective efforts towards national progress.
The gathering included a wide array of distinguished guests, representing different facets of society. Youth, tribal communities, farmers, and women, all of whom have excelled through various government initiatives, were celebrated. Among them were tribal artisans, Van Dhan Vikas members, and tribal entrepreneurs supported by the National Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation. Beneficiaries of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, as well as ASHA workers, ANMs, anganwadi workers, and elected women representatives, were also recognized.
The ceremony highlighted India’s rich cultural heritage, with nearly 2,000 people from various states and union territories dressed in traditional attire. Additionally, 3,000 winners of online competitions organized by the Defence Ministry in collaboration with MyGov and Akashvani joined the celebration.
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The event also featured 2,000 NCC cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, who formed the ‘My Bharat’ logo with tricolour kits, and 500 National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive celebration. This grand assembly not only celebrated India’s independence but also showcased its strides towards a developed and unified future.
