New Delhi: The nation will celebrate its 79th Independence Day on August 15 (Friday), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the grand ceremony from the historic Red Fort in Delhi. This year’s celebrations revolve around the theme ‘Naya Bharat’, reflecting India’s path toward becoming a prosperous, secure, and bold nation, aligned with the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Upon arrival, PM Modi will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. He will inspect a Guard of Honour comprising 96 personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police, coordinated this year by the Indian Air Force.
Following the inspection, PM Modi will proceed to the ramparts where Flying Officer Rashika Sharma will assist him in unfurling the National Flag, synchronised with a 21-gun salute fired by the 1721 Field Battery using indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns.
For the first time, 11 Agniveer Vayu musicians will join the Air Force band in playing the National Anthem, while two IAF Mi-17 helicopters will shower flower petals- one carrying the Tricolour and the other flying the ‘Operation Sindoor’ flag.
This year, the celebrations will also honour the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’. Its logo will feature prominently at the Red Fort’s Gyanpath, invitation cards, and floral decorations. The operation symbolises India’s strengthened stance against terrorism and pursuit of national security.
At Gyanpath, 2,500 NCC cadets and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers will form the ‘Naya Bharat’ logo while also performing the National Anthem after the Prime Minister’s address.
Around 5,000 special invitees from diverse fields will attend, including-
- Winners of the Special Olympics 2025 and other international sports events
- Gold medallists of the Khelo India Para Games
- Best-performing farmers, entrepreneurs, sarpanches, self-help groups, and beneficiaries of flagship schemes like PM Awaas Yojana, PM-VIKAS, Lakhpati Didi, and Vibrant Villages
- Rescued bonded labourers, Anganwadi workers, social welfare achievers, innovators from Defence Excellence programs, tribal children from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and winners of national competitions
Additionally, 1,500 people in traditional attire from various states will be present to represent India’s cultural diversity.
