— PM Modi’s 12th Consecutive Address to Highlight Vision of ‘Naya Bharat’

New Delhi, August 15(HS):

In a spectacle steeped in history, tradition, and the spirit of a resurgent nation, the Red Fort in the heart of Delhi is set to become the focal point of the country’s 79th Independence Day celebrations today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his much-anticipated 12th consecutive Independence Day address to the nation from the fort’s historic ramparts — a landmark moment in the ceremonial chronicle of the Republic.

This year’s commemoration carries the resonant theme Naya Bharat — a Prosperous, Secure & Bold New India — encapsulating the Government’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The celebrations are designed not merely as ceremonial pageantry but as a symbolic assertion of India’s rise as a global force, economically robust, militarily strong, culturally self-assured, and socially inclusive.

Arrival & Greeting Ceremony

The proceedings will commence at approximately 7:30 a.m., when Prime Minister Modi arrives at the Red Fort. At the venue’s ceremonial entrance, the Prime Minister will be received with full military decorum by:

- Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) Rajnath Singh

- Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth

- Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh

The Defence Secretary will then introduce Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, the General Officer Commanding (GoC) Delhi Area, to the Prime Minister. Following the formal greetings, Lt Gen Kumar will escort the Prime Minister to the Saluting Base.

Guard of Honour — A Disciplined Symphony

At the Saluting Base, a combined Inter-Services Guard of Honour, integrated with the Delhi Police contingent, will present a General Salute to the head of government.

The Guard of Honour consists of 96 personnel — one officer and 24 other ranks each from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Delhi Police.

- Indian Air Force is the coordinating service for this year’s ceremonial arrangements.

- The contingent will be commanded by Wing Commander A.S. Sekhon.

- The Army contingent will be led by Major Arjun Singh.

- The Naval contingent will be commanded by Lieutenant Commander Komaldeep Singh.

- The Air Force team will be under Squadron Leader Rajan Arora.

- The Delhi Police contingent will be commanded by Additional DCP Rohit Rajbir Singh.

The Prime Minister will personally inspect the Guard of Honour, reviewing the servicemen and police personnel in a crisp, traditional inspection — a hallmark of the Independence Day protocol.

Ceremonial Flag Hoisting & 21-Gun Salute

After the inspection, the Prime Minister will ascend the historic ramparts of the Red Fort, accompanied by a distinguished coterie of India’s top military leadership — Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, along with the Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh.

The honour of assisting the Prime Minister in hoisting the Tricolour has been bestowed upon Flying Officer Rashika Sharma of the Indian Air Force.

The moment of unfurling will be precisely synchronised with a 21-Gun Salute, fired by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) of the Indian Army, using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns — a proud nod to India’s indigenous defence capabilities. The ceremonial battery is commanded by Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat, with Naib Subedar Anuthosh Sarkar serving as Gun Position Officer.

National Flag Guard & Rashtriya Salute

At the instant the Tricolour ascends into the morning sky, the National Flag Guard — comprising 128 personnel (one officer and 32 from each service arm and Delhi Police) — will render the ‘Rashtriya Salute’.

- Commanded by Wing Commander Tarun Dagar.

- Army contingent leader: Major Prakash Singh.

- Naval contingent leader: Lieutenant Commander Mohd Parvej.

- Air Force contingent leader: Squadron Leader V.V. Sharvan.

- Delhi Police contingent leader: Additional DCP Abhimanyu Poswal.

The Indian Air Force band, consisting of one JCO and 25 musicians (including 11 Agniveer Vayu musicians for the first time), under the baton of Junior Warrant Officer M. Deka, will play the National Anthem, both during the hoisting and while the Rashtriya Salute is presented.

Aerial Tribute — Mi-17 Helicopters & ‘Operation Sindoor’

In a visually breathtaking moment, two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force will execute a ceremonial flower petal shower over the Red Fort parade — one chopper trooping the National Flag, the other displaying the emblem of ‘Operation Sindoor’.

The aircraft will be piloted by Wing Commander Vinay Poonia and Wing Commander Aditya Jaiswal.

Operation Sindoor, India’s emphatic counter-terrorism triumph, will occupy a place of honour in today’s celebrations. Its logo will appear on Gyanpath view-cutters, floral installations, and official invitation cards — the latter also bearing a watermark of the iconic Chenab Bridge symbolising infrastructural might in a rising India.

People’s Participation — A ‘Naya Bharat’ Mosaic

Over 2,500 NCC cadets and ‘My Bharat’ youth volunteers will form the ‘Naya Bharat’ logo along Gyanpath, becoming a living emblem of the celebration’s theme.

Specially invited 5,000 guests from all walks of life — from sports champions to rural innovators, social change agents, tribal children, and decorated farmers — will witness the proceedings.

The attendee list reads like a portrait of a truly inclusive India:

- Special Olympics 2025 contingents

- Khelo India Para Games gold medallists

- Village sarpanches from sanitation and water conservation missions

- Women achievers from Lakhpati Didi and Self Help Groups

- Skilled youth from PM-VIKAS and other flagship livelihood schemes

- Rehabilitated bonded labourers and child welfare workers

- Innovators from the defence-tech ecosystem

- Delegations dressed in diverse traditional attire from every State and UT.

Public Amenities & Accessibility

This year’s arrangements aim for people-first convenience:

- 25 cloakrooms at 12 locations for visitors’ belongings

- Wheelchair assistance from NCC cadets at metro stations and parking areas

- 190 helpdesk volunteers for guidance inside the venue

- Additional parking for 250 cars at Parking 4A

Delhi Metro services starting at 4:00 a.m. to facilitate early arrivals

Cultural & Patriotic Build-up

In the fortnight preceding Independence Day, the Ministry of Defence — in collaboration with MyGov — organised a series of competitions:

- Gyanpath formation design

- Essay contest on ‘Operation Sindoor – Redefining India’s Policy Against Terrorism’

- Patriotic reels, paintings, and quizzes on themes from women’s empowerment to border defence.

Nearly 1,000 winners will be seated in the audience today.

Nationwide Evening Band Performances

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, countrywide military and paramilitary band performances will resonate this evening, celebrating Operation Sindoor’s victory and patriotic fervour. Over 140 prominent venues will host musical displays by the bands of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, NCC, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, BSF, IDS, RPF, and Assam Rifles.

Prime Minister’s Address — The Moment of Reflection

The day’s pinnacle will be Prime Minister Modi’s address to the nation — widely anticipated to focus on India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047, the lessons of Operation Sindoor, advances in defence self-reliance, and citizen-led development. The speech will conclude with the National Anthem, sung in unison by thousands, bringing the ceremonial proceedings to a stirring close.

Event Highlights

7:30 AM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Red Fort.

-Received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister Sanjay Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

7:35 AM: Introduction of General Officer Commanding (GoC) Delhi Area,

-Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar is formally introduced to the Prime Minister.

7:40 AM: Escort to Saluting Base and Guard of Honour presentation.

- Contingent: 96 personnel (1 officer, 24 each from Army, Navy, Air Force, Delhi Police)

Commanders:

- Wing Commander AS Sekhon (Lead)

- Major Arjun Singh (Army)

- Lt Commander Komaldeep Singh (Navy)

- Squadron Leader Rajan Arora (Air Force)

- Additional DCP Rohit Rajbir Singh (Delhi Police)

7:50 AM: PM Narendra Modi inspects the Guard of Honour.

8:00 AM: Greeting by Military and Defence Leadership at Ramparts.

- General Anil Chauhan (Chief of Defence Staff)

- General Upendra Dwivedi (Army)

- Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi (Navy)

- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh (Air Force)

8:10 AM: Flag Hoisting Ceremony.

- Assisted by Flying Officer Rashika Sharma

- 21-Gun Salute by 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using 105mm Light Field Guns

- Battery Command: Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat

- Gun Position Officer: Naib Subedar Anuthosh Sarkar

8:15 AM: National Flag Guard presents Rashtriya Salute.

- 128 personnel (1 officer, 32 each: Army, Navy, Air Force, Delhi Police)

- Commander: Wing Commander Tarun Dagar

- Major Prakash Singh (Army)

- Lt Commander Mohd Parvej (Navy)

- Squadron Leader VV Sharvan (Air Force)

- Additional DCP Abhimanyu Poswal (Delhi Police)

8:16 AM: Indian Air Force Band plays the National Anthem.

- 1 JCO and 25 musicians (including 11 Agniveer Vayu musicians)

- Conducted by Junior Warrant Officer M Deka

8:20 AM: Spectacular flower petal shower by two Mi-17 helicopters.

- Pilots: Wing Commander Vinay Poonia and Wing Commander Aditya Jaiswal

- One helicopter trooping the National Flag, another with Operation Sindoor flag.

8:30 AM: Prime Minister's Address to the Nation.

- Focus: Naya Bharat, Viksit Bharat 2047, Operation Sindoor, Defence advances, citizen-led progress.

- 8:55 AM: Cadets and ‘My Bharat’ Volunteers sing the National Anthem.

- 2,500 participants form the ‘Naya Bharat’ logo on Gyanpath.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar