Red Fort prepares to host grand 77th Independence day ceremony, check out details

As the sun prepares to rise on August 15, marking the 77th anniversary of India's declaration of independence, the nation's attention will turn towards the grandeur and solemnity of the Independence Day ceremony at the historic Red Fort. With the esteemed details unveiled in the government's press release, citizens and onlookers eagerly await a meticulously planned event to honour the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future. Here are the details:

77th Independence Day ceremony at Red Fort

The ceremony, known for its precision and symbolism, will commence with the arrival of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, at the Red Fort on Tuesday. He will be received by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, Raksha Rajya Mantri Ajay Bhatt, and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. The Defence Secretary will introduce the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, to the Prime Minister, acknowledging the dedication of the armed forces.

The GoC Delhi Area will then guide the Prime Minister to the Saluting Base, where an amalgamated Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard will render a general salute to the nation's leader. Following the salute, the Prime Minister will meticulously inspect the Guard of Honour, a contingent comprising one officer and 25 personnel each from the Army, Air Force, and Delhi Police and 24 personnel from the Navy. 

The Indian Army, the coordinating service for this year's ceremony, will be represented 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. The Delhi Police contingent will be under the command of Additional DCP Sandhya Swami. 

Subsequently, the Prime Minister will ascend the ramparts of the Red Fort, where he will be greeted by esteemed dignitaries, including Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, 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. The GoC, Delhi area will conduct the Prime Minister to the dais on the ramparts to unfurl the National Flag.

21 Gun salute

Amid this solemn assembly, the Prime Minister will hoist the National Flag, an act that symbolises the country's freedom and the aspirations of its people. The unfurling of the Tricolour will be met with a 'Rashtriya Salute', accompanied by the poignant notes of the National Anthem. The Army band, led by Naib Subedar Jatinder Singh, will infuse the moment with melody, while the valiant gunners of the 8711 Field Battery (Ceremonial), commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Kumar, will execute a 21 Gun Salute, a tribute that resonates with historical significance.

As the Tricolour will billow majestically, it will be synchronised with a 21 Gun Salute, executed by the elite 8711 Field Battery (Ceremonial), commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Kumar. Naib Subedar (AIG) Anoop Singh will serve as the Gun Position Officer.

Flowers from sky

A pivotal moment will arrive with the National Flag Guard, comprising officers and personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police, rendering a Rashtriya Salute as the Prime Minister unfurls the Tricolour. This Inter-Services Guard and Police Guard will be commanded by Major Abhinav Detha from the Army, Major Mukesh Kumar Singh from the Army Contingent, Lieutenant Commander Harpreet Mann from the Naval Contingent, Squadron Leader Shrey Chawdhary from the Air Force Contingent, and Additional DCP Shashank Jaiswal from the Delhi Police contingent.

As the National Flag unfurls and the 21 Gun Salute resounds, a shower of flower petals will cascade from the skies, adding an ethereal touch to the proceedings. The skies will be graced by two Advanced Light Helicopters Mark-III Dhruv of the Indian Air Force, piloted by Wing Commander Amber Agarwal and Squadron Leader Himanshu Sharma.

After the breathtaking petal shower, the Prime Minister will address the nation.  His speech will be followed by the resonant voices of one thousand one hundred NCC cadets, both boys and girls from across the country, who will sing the National Anthem. Seated on specially installed bleachers at the Gyanpath, these young cadets will embody the spirit of national fervour.

A special highlight of this year's ceremony is the presence of the G-20 logo as part of the floral decorations at the Red Fort, a nod to India's global standing and role on the international stage.