Independence Day: Mamata, Rahul Convey Wishes; PM Concludes Address With Poem
The theme for this year’s Independence Day celebrations is “Nation First, Always First”.
India is celebrating its 75th Independence Day on 15 August.
(Photo Courtesy: Arnica Kala/The Quint)
Various political leaders including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have taken to Twitter to convey their wishes on India's 75th Independence Day.
Meanwhile, PM Modi concluded his address from the Red Fort with a poem: “Yahi same hai, sahi samai hai, Bharat ka Anmol samay hai. (The time is right, the time is now, it is a priceless time for India)" Earlier in the morning he had also visited Rajghat to pay tributes to Mahatama Gandhi.
The theme for this year’s Independence Day celebrations is “Nation First, Always First”.
However, due to concerns about the ongoing pandemic, the celebrations this year have been restricted for the public in adherence to strict COVID-19 protocols.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi raises slogans while addressing the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort during the 75th Independence Day function, in New Delhi, Sunday, 15 August.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort during the 75th Independence Day function, in New Delhi, Sunday, 15 August.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoists the Tricolour at the historic Red Fort, during the 75th Independence Day function, in New Delhi, Sunday, 15 August.
Security has been scaled up in Delhi ahead of the celebrations
1,380 police and 23 ITBP personnel have received medals for their bravery
Indian Olympians, who won medals at the Tokyo Olympics, have received special invites to the event.
BSF Exchanges Sweets With Pakistani Rangers at Attari-Wagah Border
India's Border Security Force offered sweets to the Pakistani Rangers at Attari-Wagah border on the occasion of Independence Day. The Pakistan Rangers had offered the same to Indian security forces on Saturday, to mark their Independence Day.
The BSF also exchanged sweets with 8 Border Guard Bangladesh at the India-Bangladesh border in Phulbari.
Russian President Putin Sends Wishes to India
Congratulating India on it’s Independence Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin was quoted by the Russian Embassy in India, as saying:
“The success achieved by India in economic, social and other spheres is widely acknowledged. Your country rightfully enjoys high prestige in global arena and plays an important role in solving topical issues of international agenda.
We appreciate the relations of the privileged strategic partnership between our countries. I am convinced that the further enhancement of the whole range of constructive Russian-Indian ties entirely meets the interests of our peoples and goes within the course of strengthening stability and security on regional and global level.”
Delhi CM Hoists National Flag, Announces 'Deshbhakti Curriculum' to Begin From 27 Sept
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hoist the National Flag at Secretariat Building in the capital.
Further, the CM announced that the 'Deshbhakti Curriculum' is slated to begin in Delhi Government Schools from 27 September, which will also be a tribute to Shaheed Bhagat Singh whose birth anniversary is on 28 September.
'Lack of Quality Debate in Parliament': CJI Ramana at SC's Flag Hoisting Ceremony
Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana, at the flag hoisting ceremony in the Supreme Court, lamented a lack of quality debate in the Parliament while enactment of laws.
As per ANI, the CJI said:
Further the CJI was quoted by Bar and Bench as saying:
"Earlier different, different laws used to be discussed and elaborated in the parliament...Now it is sorry state of affairs, now we see legislation with sorry state of affairs. Now we see legislations with lot of gaps, and lot of ambiguity in making laws."
Tripura CM Hoists the National Flag in Agartala
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb marked India's 75th Independence Day, by hoisting the national flag at his residence in Agartala.
'Saare Jahan Se Accha': Rahul Gandhi Shares Independence Day Greetings
Earlier on Sunday morning, Rahul Gandhi took to Instagram to share his Independence Day wishes along with verses from Muhammad Iqbal's 'Saare Jahan se Accha'.
Let Us All Strengthen Our Voices Against Forces that Stifle Freedom: Mamata Banerjee
Conveying her warm wishes on the occasion of Independence Day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Sunday, 15 August, tweeted:
“On the 75th Independence Day, let us all come together to strengthen our voices against all forces that aim to stifle our freedom. We must never forget the sacrifice of those who fought a long and hard battle for this day.
Warm wishes to all my brothers and sisters. Jai Hind!”
Chhattisgarh CM Hoists National Flag in Raipur
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel hoist the national flag at Police Parade Ground in Raipur.
INS Ranvijay, INS Kora Mark Commencement of India's Independence Day Celebrations in Vietnam
Mission deployed warships, INS Ranvijay and INS Kora, marked the commencement of India's Independence Day celebrations at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam.
Odisha CM Hoists National Flag in Bhubaneswar
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik hoist the national flag at at Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar.
PM Modi Greets the Indian Contingent that Participated in Olympics
Following his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the Indian contingent that participated in the Tokyo Olympics.
He also met the NCC cadets, who participated in the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, according to ANI.
'Yahi Samay Hai, Sahi Samay Hai': PM Modi Ends His Address With a Poem
PM Modi concluded his address with a poem, that carried the following lines, among others:
MP CM Shares Visuals of Independence Day Celebrations
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan shared visuals of Independence Day celebrations from his residence. He also informed that he has rewarded members of his security force on the occasion of India’s 75th Independence.
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot Hoists the National Flag at His Residence
Earlier this morning, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot hoisted the national flag at his residence in Jaipur.
'We Will Have to Increase Collective Powers of Small Farmers': PM Modi
PM Modi also spoke about "small farmers" during his address, and said:
"In the coming years, we will have to increase the collective power of the small farmers of the country. We have to give them new facilities."
"They must become the country's pride," the PM added.
Delimitation Commission Constituted in J&K: PM Modi
Delivering his address from the Red Fort, PM Modi informed that a Delimitation Commission has been constituted in Jammu and Kashmir and preparations are underway for assembly elections in the future.
PM Modi Talks About Importance of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayaas'
Stating that “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayaas is very important for the achievement of all our goals”, PM Modi also said:
“A time comes in the development journey of every country when that nation defines itself from a new end, when it takes itself forward with new resolutions. Today, that time has come in India's development journey.”
'Indians Have Fought COVID Battle With a Lot of Patience': PM Modi
Stating that Indians have fought the COVID-19 battle "with a lot of patience", PM Modi went on to say:
"We had many challenges but we worked with extraordinary pace in every area. It's a result of strength of our industrialists and scientists, that today India doesn't need to depend on any other nation for vaccines."
'Inspired Future Generations': PM Congratulates Athletes Who Won at Tokyo Olympics
Pointing out that "the athletes who have made us proud at Tokyo Olympics are here amongst us today", PM Modi urged the nation to "applaud their achievement today."
"They have not only won our hearts but also inspired future generations," PM Modi said.
'We Have Taken a Decision to Observe 14 Aug as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day': PM Modi at Red Fort
Delivering his address from the Red Fort, PM Modi reiterated that his government has "taken a decision to observe 14 August as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, to honour the pain and sufferings faced by the people of India during the partition."
'Day to Remember Our Great Freedom Fighters': PM Modi
"I convey my greetings on this special occasion of Independence Day. This is a day to remember our great freedom fighters," PM Modi said at Red Fort on Sunday.
PM Modi Begins Address From the Red Fort
PM Modi began his address from the Red Fort on India's 75th Independence Day on 15 August 2021. Earlier in the morning he had visited Rajghat to pay tributes to Mahatama Gandhi.
PM Modi Wishes Happy Independence Day
PM Modi took to Twitter earlier on Sunday morning to wish happy Independence Day and say that ‘may this year bring new energy, consciousness’
Olympians Invited for Independence Day Celebrations
Indian Olympians, who won medals at the Tokyo Olympics, have received special invites to the event.
Police And ITBP Personal Receive Gallantry Awards
On this occasion, 1,380 police personnel have been awarded with medals for their work in their respective fields.
"Among the awardees, 256 are from the J&K Police, 151 from the CRPF, 20 from the ITBP, and 67, 25 and 20 from the Odisha, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh Police respectively. The remainder are from other states/UTs and Central Armed Police Forces,” the Home Ministry said.
Twenty ITBP personnel have also been awarded for their bravery in thwarting Chinese aggression in eastern Ladakh. Three others have received the PMG for anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh.
Security Beefed Up Ahead of Celebrations
Ahead of the Independency Day celebrations, security arrangements were beefed up in the national capital.
Along with the deployment of police forces and commandos, barricades and pickets have been put up across the city.
Thousands of personnel are keeping a vigil at strategic locations, including the Delhi borders, where farmers have been protesting against the new farm laws for close to eight months now.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)