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.
(Photo: PTI)
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:
"It seems that there is a lack of quality debate in Parliament while enacting laws. This leads to a lot of litigation and the courts, in the absence of quality debate, are unable to fathom the intent and object behind the new law."
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."