Picture : ANI/X
In a first for Independence Day celebrations, Vande Mataram will be rendered at the Red Fort complex during the 79th anniversary of the historic occasion on August 15, followed by the recitation of the National Anthem at the grand event.
The mega function is set to commemorate 150 years of the enduring legacy of the National Song, Vande Mataram, and ‘celebrate the energy, aspirations and pivotal contribution of Yuva Shakti in driving India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047’, the defence ministry said as reported by PTI .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, he will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his deputy Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
The defence secretary will introduce the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Delhi Area, Lt Gen Rajesh Sethi, to the prime minister. The GoC will then conduct the prime minister to the saluting base where a combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard will present general salute to PM Modi.
Thereafter, the prime minister will inspect the guard of honour, the ministry said in a statement. The Guard of Honour contingent for the prime minister will consist of one officer and 24 personnel each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Delhi Police.
A full-dress rehearsal was held at Red Fort on Thursday. The Indian Army is the coordinating service for the Independence Day celebrations this year.
The guard of honour will be commanded by Lt Col Arjun Singh. The Army contingent in the Prime Minister’s Guard will be commanded by Maj Aditya Sharma, the naval contingent by Lt Cdr Neelam Rana and the Air Force contingent by Sqn Ldr Vipin Kumar.
