India is celebrating its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to lead the main celebrations at the historic Red Fort amid patriotic fervour and elaborate security arrangements across the national Capital. Modi will unfurl the Tricolour from the ramparts of the Red Fort before delivering his Independence Day address to the nation. This will be his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the iconic monument. Celebrations are also being held across state capitals, cities and towns, with flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes and other events commemorating India's freedom struggle.
This year's Red Fort ceremony will mark a first, with the National Song, 'Vande Mataram', set to be rendered during Independence Day celebrations at the venue. The event will commemorate 150 years of the legacy of 'Vande Mataram' while highlighting the role of 'Yuva Shakti' in India's journey towards the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Upon arriving at the Red Fort, Modi will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
After inspecting the Guard of Honour, the Prime Minister will proceed to the ramparts for the flag-hoisting ceremony.
Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan will assist Modi in unfurling the national flag. The ceremony will be synchronised with a 21-gun salute by the gunners of the 1721 Field Battery.
Two Mi-17 helicopters will shower flower petals at the venue following the flag-hoisting, after which the Prime Minister will address the nation.
Nearly 5,000 special guests from different sections of society have been invited to witness the celebrations at the Red Fort this year.
The invitees include International Yoga Day volunteers, women entrepreneurs associated with the PM Mudra Yojana, top-performing MY Bharat volunteers, beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and street vendors covered under the PM SVANidhi scheme.
The presence of special guests is aimed at recognising people who have contributed to various government initiatives and areas of national development.
At the conclusion of the Prime Minister's address, National Cadet Corps cadets and MY Bharat volunteers will sing 'Vande Mataram', followed by the national anthem.
Security has been stepped up across Delhi for the celebrations, particularly in and around the Red Fort, with multiple layers of deployment and traffic restrictions in place.
The Independence Day programme follows a full-dress rehearsal held at the Red Fort earlier this week as authorities prepared for the ceremonial events and security requirements.
The Red Fort has remained the focal point of India's Independence Day celebrations since 1947, when the country's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, unfurled the national flag and addressed the nation following Independence.