News Analysis India

Tag: 75th Independence Day

  • PM Modi extends greetings to countrymen on 75th Independence Day

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Extending greetings on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ will infuse new energy and new consciousness among the countrymen.

    “Greetings to you all on Independence Day. May this year of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ infuse new energy and new consciousness among the countrymen. Jai Hind!” tweeted PM Modi.

    Prime Minister will lead the Independence Day celebrations from Red Fort on Sunday. He will hoist the national flag and deliver the customary address to the nation.

    The country is celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, marking the 75th year of Independence, amid patriotic fervour. A series of events are being organised across the country to mark the occasion.

  • Heavy security cover in Delhi as India celebrates her 75th Independence Day

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: A hawk-eyed vigil will be maintained across the national capital on the 75nd Independence Day on Sunday with a multi-layered security cover in place at the historic Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation.

    Security cover has been beefed up in the city and forces are on high alert to thwart any untoward incident as police have intensified patrolling and deployed extra pickets at vital installations.

    Borders have also been sealed to ensure no untoward incident takes place in the national capital and strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to disrupt the law and order situation, police officials said.

    The multi-layered security ring, including NSG snipers, elite SWAT commandos, kite catchers, canine units and sharpshooters on high-rise buildings, has been placed around the Mughal-era fort, and adherence to social distancing norms will be must like last year due to the Covid pandemic.

    According to the police, anti-drone systems have also been installed at the Red Fort in view of the recent terror attack at the IAF station in Jammu airport where Pakistan-based terrorists used drones to strike the vital installation for the first time.

    India’s Olympic contingent are the special guests at the Red Fort on August 15.

    Over 350 cameras have been installed and their footage is being monitored round-the- clock through two police control rooms situated in and around the fort area, police said.

    There are around 5,000 security personnel at the monument and they will adhere to social distancing norms, they said.

    The Delhi Police had erected a huge wall of shipping containers decorated with graffiti for the first time earlier this month at the main gate of Red Fort for security reasons.

    The containers have been placed in such a way that no one will be able to see inside the premises of the fort when the prime minister addresses the nation.

    Nobody will be able to peek inside the fort from Chandani Chowk and adjoining areas, the police said.

    The move comes after many farmer protesting against farm bills reached the Red Fort driving tractors and entered the monument on January 26 and hoisted a religious flag.

    Over 70 police vehicles — including PCR vans, ‘PRAKHAR’ vans and QRT (Quick Reaction Team) vans — have been stationed at the area as part of the security deployment along with intensified patrolling by police personnel on motorcycles, the police said.

    Patrolling on motorboats is being carried out in the Yamuna river by the Delhi Police to ensure no untoward incident takes place in the city.

    Security arrangements have also been tightened at the Delhi borders where thousands of farmers have been protesting for over seven months against the centre’s new agri laws.

    The police have already carried out anti-sabotage checks in the area and visited hotels in the vicinity in search of suspicious elements, officials said, adding security verification of the residents, including tenants and servants, has also been conducted.

    The Red Fort has already been closed for public, officials said.

    Police personnel have been asked to keep an eye in the sky to ensure that no stray kites are seen in the area during Independence Day celebrations.

    The Delhi Traffic Police had also issued an advisory for the function at the Red Fort to ensure safe and smooth flow of vehicles across the city.

    Eight roads — Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road and its Link Road to Netaji Subhash Marg, Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT and Outer Ring Road from ISBT to IP flyover — will be closed for general public from 4 am to 10 am, the advisory said.

    Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, UAVs, micro light aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or para-jumping from aircraft are prohibited over the jurisdiction of National Capital Territory of Delhi up to August 16.

    The Delhi Police had seized a drone flying near Vijay Ghat, the backside of the Red Fort.

    The Jaguar highway patrolling team of north district was keeping a vigil in the area on Monday when it saw the drone near Vijay Ghat.

    A web series was being shot there, police said, adding permission was granted to shoot the show but sanction had not been given to fly a drone.

    A case was registered under relevant sections at Kotwali police station and the device seized.

  • Sonia, Rahul Gandhi to participate in Independence Day celebrations at AICC headquarters

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi will participate in the 75th Independence Day celebrations at All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters on Sunday.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the Independence Day celebrations from Red Fort in New Delhi on Sunday. He will hoist the national flag and deliver the customary address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort.

    Security has been tightened in the national capital for the 75th Independence Day celebrations on Sunday. Counter-drone technology has been deployed in sensitive areas in the national capital to thwart any untoward incident.

    Meanwhile, farmers have proposed a tractor parade in the national capital on Independence Day against the three farm laws introduced by the Central government last year.

    Speaking to ANI, a farmer said, “Around 5,000 vehicles and 20,000 farmers will take part in the parade on Sunday. We are ready for the protest. Our protest is against the three farm laws. Women are leading this protest. We want to show the government that we are not broken. The protest is on.”

    Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana informed that they have been talking to farmer leaders and Delhi borders have been sealed.

  • Watched flag hoisting ceremony on TV, now personally going there: Neeraj Chopra

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Indian Olympic Winners left the Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi for the national flag hoisting ceremony at Red Fort on India’s 75th Independence Day today.

    Javelin thrower Subedar Neeraj Chopra, India’s first-ever Gold Medallist in track and field, who is among thirty-two Olympic winners who have been invited to participate in the 75th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, said: “Earlier, we used to watch flag hoisting ceremony on TV and now we are personally going there. It’s a new experience. We hadn’t won a gold medal in individual sports for so long. I felt good that the country felt proud because of me.”

    Around 240 Olympians, support staff, and SAI and sports federation officials have also been invited to grace the Gyan Path in front of the Ramparts. In Tokyo, India recorded its best-ever medal haul in the recently concluded Olympics by bagging a total of seven medals – one Gold, two silver, and four bronze.

    The Nation is celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, marking the 75th year of Independence from the foreign rule.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the Independence Day celebrations from Red Fort in New Delhi on Sunday. He will hoist the national flag and deliver the customary address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort.

    Security has been tightened in the national capital for the 75th Independence Day celebrations on Sunday. Counter-drone technology has been deployed in sensitive areas in the national capital to thwart any untoward incident.

  • 32 Olympic winners invited to 75th Independence Day Celebrations

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: 32 Olympic winners, including javelin thrower Subedar Neeraj Chopra, India’s first-ever Gold Medallist in track and field, along with two officials of Sports Authority of India (SAI) have been invited to participate in the 75th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on Sunday.

    Around 240 Olympians, support staff, and SAI and sports federation officials have also been invited to grace the Gyan Path in front of the Ramparts. In Tokyo, India recorded its best-ever medal haul in the recently concluded Olympics by bagging a total of seven medals – one Gold, two silver, and four bronze.

    The Nation is celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, marking the 75th year of Independence from the foreign rule. The whole country has been gripped by patriotic fervour. A series of events are being organized across the country by different ministries of the Government of India, various state governments and Union Territories, the Armed Forces, and the general public alike to mark this momentous occasion.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in celebrating this historic 75th Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi on August 15, 2021. He will hoist the National Flag and deliver the customary address to the nation.

    It may be recalled that the Prime Minister had launched ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ from Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmedabad in Gujarat in March 2021 to celebrate 75 years of India’s Independence. The celebrations will continue till August 15, 2023.

    Upon the arrival of the Prime Minister at the Red Fort, he will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar. Defence Secretary will introduce the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, AVSM, 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 a general salute to the Prime Minister. 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. Indian Navy is the coordinating service this year. The Guard of Honour will be commanded by Commander Piyush Gaur. The Naval Contingent in the Prime Minister’s Guard will be commanded by Lt Commander SunePhogat, the Army Contingent by Major Vikas Sangwan, and the Air Force contingent by Squadron leader A Berwal. The Delhi Police contingent will be commanded by Additional DCP (West District) Subodh Kumar Goswami.

    After inspecting the Guard of Honour, PM Modi will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort. The GoC Delhi area will conduct the Prime Minister to the dais on the rampart to hoist the National Flag.

    After being hoisted, the Tricolour will receive a ‘Rashtriya Salute’. The Navy Band, consisting of 16 men will play the National Anthem during the hoisting of the National Flag and the ‘Rashritya Salute’.

    For the first time ever, this year as soon as the National Flag is hoisted by the Prime Minister, flower petals will be showered at the venue by two Mi 17 1V helicopters of the Indian Air Force in Amrut Formation.

    After the showering of flower petals, the Prime Minister will address the Nation. At the conclusion of the speech of the Prime Minister, the cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) will sing the National Anthem. 500 NCC cadets (Army, Navy, and Air Force) from different schools will be taking part in this festival of National Fervour.

    Lt Commander P Priyambada Sahoo will assist the Prime Minister in hoisting the National Flag. It will be synchronized with the 21 Gun Salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 2233 Field Battery (Ceremonial). The ceremonial battery is commanded by Lt Col Jitendra Singh Mehta, SM, and the Gun Position Officer will be Naib Subedar (AIG) Anil Chand.

    The National Flag Guard comprising five officers and 130 men from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police will present Rashtriya Salute at the time of hoisting of the National Flag by the Prime Minister. Commander Kuldeep M Neralkar from the Indian Navy will be in command of this Inter-Services Guard and Police Guard.

    The Navy Contingent in the National Flag Guard will be commanded by Lt Commander Praveen Saraswat, the Army Contingent by Major Anshul Kumar, and the Air Force contingent by Sqn Leader Rohit Malik. The Delhi Police contingent will be commanded by Additional DCP (South West District) Shri Amit Goel.

    Ahead of Independence Day celebrations, Delhi Police have intensified security arrangements in the national capital by deploying police forces and commandos across Delhi, according to a security plan chalked out with the coordination of State governments and security agencies.

    Superintendents of Police of all districts in Delhi have been instructed to be vigilant ahead of Independence Day, informed Delhi Police on Saturday.

    Earlier on Friday, a high-level meeting of top officials of Delhi Police was held to discuss a new intelligence alert about miscreants who could try to infiltrate the security at the Red Fort on August 15.

    The security has been tightened near Red Fort, ahead of Independence Day celebrations in the national capital.

    The posters of the most wanted terrorists have been put around the area to alert people and to report any suspected person to the police.

    “There will be a 360-degree drone coverage to counter unfriendly objects on Independence day and to counter the anti-drone challenge staff is being trained on how to respond to unfriendly objects. Coordinated training with Air Force, National Security Guard (NSG), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is in progress,” said Anita Roy, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, North. (ANI)

  • 300 youth from foreign countries to participate in NCC’s Republic Day camp in 2022: Defence Secretary

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: India Plans for 300 youth from foreign countries to attend the National Cadet Corps Republic Day Camp in 2022 which also happens to be the 75th Independence Day. The expenditure for those children will be borne by the Ministry of Defence.

    Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar said on Friday, “Around 300 youngsters from 25 foreign countries will participate in the next year’s Republic Day camp of National Cadet Corps (NCC) as a part of celebrations leading to 75th Independence Day.”

    It will be part of the Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) which is an annual feature of the important NCC RD Camps through which exchange of cadets is done with the member nations.

    The cadets will be selected through a competition wherein their knowledge of India’s history, economy, culture and growth will be tested. These competitions will be organised by the Indian Embassies and high commissions in those countries, added Dr Kumar in a media briefing.

    Till now such foreign cadets joining the RD Camps used to get nominated by their respective countries. The initiative is to make the participation aspirational

    In 2020, around 160 youngsters from 10 countries had participated in the NCC’s Republic Day Camp. There was no YEP in this year’s Republic Day Camp due to COVID-19.

    In the 2022 camp, youth delegations would be invited for the first time from 15 countries – USA, Canada, UK, France, Japan, Oman, UAE, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria and Seychelles.

    These 15 countries will be in addition to the existing 10 foreign countries – Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Kyrgyz Republic, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Vietnam – with whom NCC already has an ongoing Youth Exchange Program.

    Kumar said that a timeline has been worked out with the results of the competition to be declared in October. These embassies, with the help of the corresponding organisations in 25 countries, would inform about the competition and the selection process in July. In September, the selection process will be conducted and in October, the results will be announced, he added.

    Kumar said the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian embassies in the 25 countries will assist in the selection process.

    Only 1000 cadets were able to attend the 2021 RD Camp but this year’s plan is to take it back to around 2000 cadets.

    The Defence Secretary said that just like this year, the NCC’s camp in 2022 would be conducted with entire COVID-19 protocols.

    Government is pushing towards expansion of the NCC which happens to be the world’s biggest uniformed youth organisation with a strength of nearly 14 lakh cadets at present. It helps develop a sense of patriotism and leadership among the youth with the help of various activities including military training and various socio-cultural programmes.