Independence Day 2023 highlights: World leaders extend greetings to India

"I pay my tributes to all the brave hearts who gave their contribution in the India's freedom struggle": PM Modi addresses the nation on 77th Independence Day.

Tricolour receives Rashtriya Salute after being unfurled by PM Modi. 

Prime Minister greeted by Rajnath Singh, Ajay Bhatt, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. 

PM Modi proceeds to the ramparts of the Red Fort after inspecting Guard of Honour. 

The Guard of Honour will be commanded by Major Vikas Sangwan. The Army Contingent in the Prime Minister’s Guard will be commanded by Major Indrajeet Sachin, the Naval Contingent by Lieutenant Commander MV Rahul Raman and the Air Force contingent by Squadron Leader Akash Ganghas. Delhi Police contingent will be commanded by Additional DCP Sandhya Swami.

The Guard of Honour contingent for PM Modi consists of one officer and 25 personnel each from the Army, Air Force and Delhi Police and one officer and 24 personnel from the Navy. The Indian Army is the coordinating service this year. 

PM Modi inspects Guard of Honour as he reaches Red Fort.

PM Modi received by Defence minister Rajnath Singh, Defence MoS Ajay Bhatt and Defence secretary Giridhar Aramane. The Defence Secretary introduced the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth to the Prime Minister. Thereafter, the Prime Minister will inspect the Guard of Honour.

Those vehicles which do not have parking labels for Independence Day should avoid the following roads: 

C-Hexagon India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Sikandra Road, W Point, A point Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, Subhash Marg, J.L. Nehru Marg and Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmere Gate and Outer Ring Road from Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmere Gate via Salimgarh bypass.

The following roads will be closed for general traffic from 4.00 AM to 11.00 AM and only labeled vehicles will be permitted:

1. Netaji Subhash Marg from Delhi Gate to Chatta Rail
2. Lothian Road from GPO Delhi to Chatta Rail
3. S.P.Mukherjee Marg from H.C.Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazar Chowk
4. Chandni Chowk Road from Fountain Chowk to Red Fort
5. Nishad Raj Marg from Ring Road to Netaji Subhash Marg
6. Esplanade Road and its Link Road to Netaji Subhash Marg
7. Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT
8. Outer Ring Road from ISBT to IP Flyoveri.e. Salimgarh Bypass

Delhi Metro services will continue to run as per the normal schedule today. However, the parking facilities will remain closed at metro stations from Monday 6am till Tuesday 2pm. 

“To facilitate passengers to attend the Independence Day ceremony on 15th August 2023 (Tuesday), Delhi Metro train services on all Lines will start from 5AM from all terminal stations. The trains will run with a frequency of 30 minutes on all the Lines till 6AM," DMRC said. 

"Parking facilities will NOT BE AVAILABLE at stations from 6AM on 14/08/2023 till 2PM on 15/08/2023 in view of security measures adopted on the occasion. However, train services will continue per normal schedule," it added. 

A state level celebration will be held in front of Old Secretariat, Panaji, Goa where the Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant will hoist the National tricolour and address the people. The flag hoisting ceremony on Independence Day will also be held at various Taluka Headquarters at 09.15 am.

Multi-layer security is in place across Delhi with more than 10,000 personnel manning the area in and around the historic Red Fort. What are the other provisions? Hindustan Times gives you a look:

1. Around 1,000 cameras with facial recognition and video analytic systems have been installed in and around the Red Fort. 
2. Similar measures have also been taken at other strategic locations to ensure security and monitor VVIP movements.
3. Traffic has also been restricted near the Red Fort till the end of the celebrations.
4. Delhi Police spokesperson Suman Nalwa said,"Delhi Police is on alert. Elaborate security arrangements have been made, the exercise for which started around three-four months ago. Anti-terror activities have also been done to check the areas in the districts near the venue." 
5. "Adequate traffic arrangements have been put in place. The traffic police has also issued an advisory. We urge people to follow the advisory. The borders (of Delhi) have been closed for heavy vehicles from Monday night, while others entering the city are being checked. We are keeping a strict vigil on social media as well," the spokesperson informed. 

Among PM Modi's 1,800 “Special Guests” for the Red Fort address, a Khadi weaver from Uttar Padesh's Varanasi also found an invitation. Wahab Ansari who weaves cloth with Khadi thread will come to Delhi and listen to the Prime Minister's speech in person. Exciting, right?

"Wahab Ansari of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, who weaves cloth with Khadi thread, is a special guest who will come to Delhi and listen to the Prime Minister's speech on the occasion of Independence Day 2023 from the historic ramparts of the Red Fort," a Bharat Bhushan Babu Principal Spokesperson, Ministry of Defence informed.

Wahab Ansari said "I have been working in Kalavari Ashram for the past 26 years. I am thankful to PM Modi that he invited me to the Independence Day celebration."

PM Modi will deliver his 10th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort today. 

The nation awaits!

PM Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Best wishes on Independence Day. We pay homage to our great freedom fighters and reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling their vision. Jai Hind!”

India has always been a peace-loving nation, but will not spare those with "ill intention or hostility", Defence minister Rajnath Singh said on the eve of the 77th Independence Day. The government is making all efforts to equip the armed forces with the latest weapons and training to meet future challenges, he said, adding, “We not only seek peace but also express our commitment to peace through our actions. But at the same time, we are also very clear that if anyone dares to look at us with ill intention or hostility, our forces will give a befitting reply.”

Google Doodle marked India's 77th Independence Day showcasing the rich textile craft traditions from different states and Union territories in a doodle. 

“Today’s Doodle celebrates India’s Independence Day and is illustrated by New Delhi-based guest artist Namrata Kumar. On this day in 1947, a new era dawned as India became independent from British rule,” Google said. Read more