Special Protection Group (SPG) and Delhi Police personnel conducting mock drills for any emergency situation during the rehearsals for Independence Day function.
The preparations for the Independence Day in Delhi began almost a month in advance with most roads decorated with the ‘tricolour’.
The speech from the Prime Minister is followed by National Anthem and parades by divisions of the Indian Armed Forces and Paramilitary forces.
Traffic restrictions were in place for the full dress rehearsals that took place on August 13
With India’s 71st Independence day already knocking on the door, preparations are underway across the country with much pomp and gusto.The full-dress rehearsal is carried out two days ahead of the Independence day with mock drills, parades and flag hoisting.On 15th August 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first PM of India delivered his famous speech ‘tryst with destiny’ raising the National Flag above the Lahori Gate of Red Fort. Since then, this tradition has been followed by every successive Prime Minister.
School children and NCC cadets were part of the celebratory display at the Red Fort during the 71st Independence Day function. On the importance of the country’s youth, Modi stated, ‘January 1, 2018 will not be an ordinary day — those born in this century will start turning 18. They are Bhagya Vidhatas of our nation.’
The Prime Minister then delivered an address to the nation. He highlighted the fact that this is a special year, marking the 75th anniversary of Quit India, 100th anniversary of Champaran Satyagraha and the 125th anniversary of Ganesh Utsav. Modi also spoke of the need ‘to take the country ahead with the determination of creating a ‘New India’.
The Prime Minister inspected a guard of honour following his arrival at Red Fort, as part of the 71st Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi. Modi greeted the nation with a tweet early in the morning and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi with a visit to Rajghat before arriving at the celebration venue.
Special Protection Group (SPG) agents kept watch as Narendra Modi (C, on podium) attended the Independence Day celebrations. Officials said anti-aircraft and anti-drone guns were deployed in and around Red Fort. An additional 500 closed-circuit television and high-resolution cameras were placed in and around Red Fort.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the occasion of India’s 71st Independence Day on Tuesday, in New Delhi. (Arun Sharma / HT Photo)9/9 Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the occasion of India’s 71st Independence Day on Tuesday, in New Delhi.
Addressing the need for a change in the attitudes towards the issues of nation building Modi said ‘We have to drop this ‘chalta hai’ attitude. We have to think of ‘badal sakta hai’- this attitude will help us as a nation’. The Prime Minister wrapped his Independence Day address at Red Fort with chants of ‘Jai Hind’, ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’.
After concluding his speech the Prime Minister then came down to interact with children who had gathered at the Red Fort as part of the official programme.
After Prime Minister Modi’s arrival the Army Band played the national anthem, as the PM unfurled the tricolour hoisted at the ramparts of the Red Fort.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses while children choreograph the Hindi word ‘Bharat’ in the background. On the need for standing united, the Prime Minister said that India is about Shanti, Ekta and Sadbhavana and that casteism and communalism will not help us. Violence in the name of faith will not be tolerated in this land of Gandhi and Buddha.