India to mark 79th Independence Day with the theme of ‘Naya Bharat’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the 79th Independence Day celebrations on August 15 from the historic Red Fort in New Delhi.

Marking the occasion, the Prime Minister will unfurl the National Flag and deliver his address to the nation from the ramparts of the iconic monument. “As India continues its journey towards achieving the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, this year’s celebrations will be held under the theme Naya Bharat,” the Union Mdinistry of Defence said in a statement.

“The celebrations will serve as a platform to commemorate the continuing rise of a prosperous, secure and bold Naya Bharat and provide renewed power to surge further ahead on the path to progress,” the MoD said.

The Air Force band, consisting of one Junior Commissioned Officer and 25 other ranks, will play the National Anthem when the Tricolour is hoisted and the ‘Rashtriya Salute’ presented. The band will be conducted by Junior Warrant Officer M. Deka. For the first time, 11 Agniveer Vayu musicians will be part of the band playing the National Anthem.

Soon after the National Flag is hoisted by the PM, flower petals will be showered at the venue by two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force, one trooping the national flag, and the other trooping a flag depicting Operation Sindoor. The helicopters will be captained by Wing Commander Vinay Poonia and Wing Commander Aditya Jaiswal.

The PM will then address the nation. At the conclusion of his speech, cadets of the National Cadet Corps, and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers will sing the National Anthem.

The success of Operation Sindoor will be highlighted at the Independence Day celebrations. The view cutter at Gyanpath will feature the Operation Sindoor logo. Floral decorations will also be based on it. Invitation cards carry the Operation Sindoor logo, and the watermark of the Chenab bridge depicting the rise of ‘Naya Bharat’. Approximately 5,000 special guests from different walks of life have been invited to witness the celebrations at Red Fort.

About 2,500 boy and girl cadets from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers will participate in the celebrations. They will be seated on Gyanpath, opposite the Red Fort ramparts, forming the ‘Naya Bharat’ logo.

To promote patriotic fervour among citizens, and to celebrate Operation Sindoor’s victory, bands of defence and paramilitary forces will perform for the first time on the evening of the Independence Day celebrations at over 140 prominent locations across the country.