WEB DESK
India IS celebrating 74th Independence Day today.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in celebrating the Day at the majestic Red Fort. He will hoist the National Flag and deliver the Address to the Nation from the ramparts of the iconic monument. Prime Minister will arrive at the Red Fort at around 7:15 in the morning.
He will be received at the Lahori gate of Red Fort by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar. Combined Inter-Services and Police Guards will present general salute to the Prime Minister, who will then inspect the Guard of Honour.
The Guard of Honour contingent for the Prime Minister will consist of one officer and 24 men each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police.
This year, the Guard of Honour will be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Gaurav Yewalkar. Army Contingent in the Prime Minister’s Guard will be commanded by Major Palvinder Grewal, the Navy contingent by Lieutenant Commander K V R Reddy, while Squadron Leader Vikas Kumar will lead the Air Force contingent. Delhi Police contingent will be commanded by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Jitender Kumar Meena.
After inspecting the Guard of Honour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort where he will be greeted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria.
The unfurling of the tri-colour by the Prime Minister will thereafter be synchronised with the 21 Gun Salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 2233 Field Battery. After unfurling the National Flag, the Prime Minister will address the nation.
Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory to ensure safe and smooth vehicular movement across the national capital. In its advisory, Delhi traffic police has said, roads will be closed for general traffic from 4 AM to 10 AM in the morning at Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, S P Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT and its Link Road.
In view of Covid-19 situation, Defence Ministry has requested the invitees to follow guidelines issued by Home Ministry and Health Ministry at all times while they are in the function area at Red Fort. Thermal screening will be done at all entry points for the invitees. The Ministry has requested all invitees to wear masks during the event. It said, the participation is only through invitation and members who do not have formal invites are requested to refrain from coming to the venue.