New Delhi, Aug 14(HS): This year’s Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort will carry a special theme — the resounding success of Operation ‘Sindoor’. From the décor to the ceremonial highlights, the operation will be at the heart of the festivities.

Floral arrangements at the venue will reflect the operation’s motif, and official invitation cards will be embossed with its logo. The grand event will feature a spectacular flower shower from the skies, moments before Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Around 5,000 special guests from diverse fields have been invited.

For the first time, the evening will see Armed Forces bands performing patriotic tunes at over 140 prominent locations across India, filling the air with a spirit of unity and pride.

Ceremonial Welcome at Red Fort

According to the Defence Ministry, the Prime Minister will be received at the Red Fort by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

Lieutenant General Bhavanish Kumar, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Delhi Area, will escort the Prime Minister to the Saluting Base, where a joint Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard of Honour will await inspection.

This ceremonial guard will comprise 96 personnel — 24 each from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police. The Guard of Honour will be commanded by Wing Commander A.S. Sekhon. The contingents will be led by Major Arjun Singh (Army), Lieutenant Commander Komaldeep Singh (Navy), Squadron Leader Rajan Arora (Air Force), and Addl. DCP Rohit Rajbir Singh (Delhi Police).

Flag Hoisting and 21-Gun Salute

Following the inspection, the PM will proceed to the ramparts, where senior military leaders — including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh — will greet him.

He will then be assisted by Flying Officer Rashika Sharma in hoisting the national flag. As the tricolour rises, the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) will fire a 21-gun salute with indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns, under the command of Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat, with Naib Subedar Anutosh Sarkar as Gun Position Officer.

A 128-member Tri-Services and Police National Flag Guard will present the ‘National Salute,’ commanded by Wing Commander Tarun Dagar. This guard will include Army (led by Major Prakash Singh), Navy (Lt. Cdr. Mohammad Parvez), Air Force (Sqn. Ldr. V.V. Sharvan), and Delhi Police (Addl. DCP Abhimanyu Poswal) contingents.

Music, Agniveers, and a Sky Salute

During the salute, the Air Force Band, under JWO M. Deka, will play the National Anthem. For the first time, 11 Agniveer musicians will be part of this ceremonial performance.

Immediately after the flag is hoisted, two IAF Mi-17 helicopters will fly past — one carrying the National Flag, the other displaying the emblem of Operation Sindoor — showering rose petals over the venue. The helicopters will be piloted by Wing Commander Vinay Poonia and Wing Commander Aditya Jaiswal.

This blend of tradition, military precision, and a thematic tribute to Operation Sindoor is expected to make the 79th Independence Day a deeply symbolic and visually stunning celebration.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar