New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in celebrating the 74th Independence Day by unfurling the national flag at the majestic Red Fort in Delhi.
PM paid tribute to corona warriors, those at the forefront of the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, as he addressed the nation on Independence Day.
PM Modi said India must become self-reliant and use its vast natural resources to produce for the domestic as well as the global market.
"I am confident that India will realise this dream. I am confident of the abilities, confidence and potential of my fellow Indians. Once we decide to do something, we do not rest till we achieve that goal," PM said.
The event at Red Fort this year was relatively muted in terms of participation of people in view of the situation created by COVID-19, which has affected over 24 lakh people in the country.
In view of the situation, the general public was not been invited to the event. Instead, 1,500 corona warriors, including 500 police personnel who have recovered from the infection, attended the function in a symbol of the citizens' determination to fight the pandemic and emerge winners.
Independence Day Celebrations 2020 Highlights:
Aug 16, 2020 04:22 (IST)
Donald Trump Jr wishes India on Independence Day
Donald Trump Jr, the son of US President Donald Trump, on Saturday extended wishes to India on Independence Day.
"Best Wishes to India on their 75th Independence Day. Grateful for all my friends there and my Indian-American friends here," Donald Trump Jr tweeted.
Aug 15, 2020 23:04 (IST)
Independence Day: Thinner crowd at Beating retreat ceremony on Attari-Wagah border due to COVID-19
The Beating retreat ceremony was held at the Attari-Wagah Border as part of India's 74th Independence Day celebrations but the crowd was thinner due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A live musical band performance by the Border Security Force (BSF) troops was also witnessed at the border.
The beating retreat ceremony, an elaborate ritual of lowering the national flags of both the countries just before sunset, took place as it does every year.
India is celebrating the 74th Independence Day in a relatively muted manner in terms of participation of people in view of the COVID-19 crisis.
Aug 15, 2020 22:36 (IST)
Independence Day celebrated at Kedarnath temple
The chief priest of Kedarnath temple Shankar Linga on Saturday hoisted the national flag at the temple premises on the occasion of 74th Independence Day.
The flag was hoisted at 11 thousand 700 feet above the sea level in the presence of local people and employees associated with the temple.
India is celebrating its 74th Independence Day in a relatively muted manner in terms of participation of people in view of the COVID-19 crisis.
Earlier this morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag and delivered the customary address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi.
Aug 15, 2020 22:27 (IST)
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar thanks Israel, Russia, Bhutan, other countries for Independence Day wishes
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked the foreign ministers of Israel, Russia, Bhutan, the Maldives and several other countries on Saturday for their wishes on India's 74th Independence Day.
Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, in a tweet, said since independence, India has strived to be, and now become, an enduring example of democracy and development for the region and the world.
Responding to his tweet, Mr Jaishankar said the relationship between India and the Maldives is a shining example of "Neighbourhood First".
The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Russia also greeted Jaishankar on India''s Independence Day.
Aug 15, 2020 22:08 (IST)
Arvind Kejriwal invites 7 corona warriors to Independence Day function
It was a proud moment for seven COVID warriors who were invited to the Delhi government's Independence Day function, as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal praised them for their work during the pandemic.
Arvind Kejriwal in his Independence day speech thanked the 'corona warriors'' for saving lives during the pandemic and asked the gathering to give them a big round of applause.
"Our corona warriors--doctors, nurses, paramedic staff, policemen, civil defence volunteers, sanitation workers and others--served the people without caring for their lives. You did a virtuous thing by saving lives. I greet you and thank you," he said at the function held at the Secretariat premises.
Aug 15, 2020 21:44 (IST)
Border Security Force holds musical programme to celebrate Independence Day at Attari check post
A musical programme was organised at the Indo-Pak joint check post to mark Independence Day, officials said here on Saturday.
However, there was no one from the public to watch the programme due to a ban imposed on their entry in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Border Security Force Director General Surjeet Singh Deswal unfurled the national flag, according to the officials.
Addressing troops, the DG said amid the coronavirus pandemic, the BSF personnel have been performing their duties on the border with honesty and sincerity.
The DG also participated in a 10-km-long ''Independence Day Walk'' with BSF personnel.
A BSF personnel was honoured with bravery award, five with President Police Medal for Distinguished Service and 46 with Service Police Medal for Meritorious Service. This year, sweets were not exchanged between between India and Pakistan, neither on Friday nor Saturday, the officials said.
Aug 15, 2020 21:12 (IST)
Russian President Vladimir Putin Putin greets India on Independence Day
India rightfully enjoys high prestige among the international community, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said as he greeted the Indian government on the country''s 74th Independence Day.
"Kindly accept cordial congratulations on the National Holiday - the Independence Day of the Republic of India," Putin said in his congratulatory message to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Your country rightfully enjoys high prestige among the international community. The success achieved by India in economic, social and other spheres is widely acknowledged," he said.
Aug 15, 2020 20:34 (IST)
Independence Day: Malagasy President Rajoelina extends greetings to India
Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina extended greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of India's 74th Independence Day on Saturday.
"As India celebrates its 74 years of Independence today, I wish Prime Minister@narendramodi and the people of India a very happy Independence Day. May our two nations flourish and our relationship go from strength to strength," tweeted Rajoelina.
Earlier today, world leaders such as US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and many other world leaders wished Prime Minister Modi on 74th Independence Day.
Aug 15, 2020 20:24 (IST)
Independence Day: Leaders of different religions hoist national flag together in Delhi
Leaders of different religions came together to hoist the national flag at the All India Imam Organisation's office in Delhi on the occasion of 74th Independence Day.
To promote unity and universal brotherhood, leaders from the Jain community, from Bangla Sahib, from All India Imam Organisation and Goswami Sushil Maharaj celebrated the occasion together.
Speaking to ANI, Chief of All India Imam Organisation, Maulana Imam Ahmed Ilyasi said, "This ceremony is a testament to the unity that our great nation has showcased as a beacon to the entire world.
Mr Ilyasi also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his message of unity during the Independence Day speech.
Aug 15, 2020 20:05 (IST)
Independence Day: Scaled down celebrations with socially-distanced audience at Red Fort
The conspicuous absence of exuberant school children in the socially-distanced audience and a pruned guest list took some of the shine off the Independence Day event at the Red Fort which was scaled down due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Around 4,000 invites, a quarter of the usual, were issued to political leaders, officers, diplomats and others. Attendees wore masks and were seated at a distance of six feet from each other, displaying an image of the ''new normal'' in the COVID times.
School children, who would attend the event dressed in the colours of the national flag, were not present this time due to the coronavirus. Instead, 500 NCC cadets were invited to the event.
Aug 15, 2020 19:28 (IST)
Independence Day celebrated in subdued manner in West Bengal
The Independence Day celebrations were subdued in West Bengal due to the COVID-19 situation.
People must do all it takes to preserve the basic principles on which this country was founded, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on the occasion of 74th Independence Day on Saturday.
She said the country has overcome many challenges and likewise would triumph over the one posed by coronavirus.
"Happy Independence Day to all my brothers and sisters. We salute all those who sacrificed their lives to make the dream of a ''free nation'' come true. Our freedom was hard-earned, and we must do all it takes to preserve the basic principles on which this country was founded," she said in a Twitter post.
Aug 15, 2020 19:08 (IST)
Independence Day celebrated in Nagaland amid strict observance of Corona protocols
Nagaland Saturday joined the nation in celebrating the 74th Independence Day by adhering to all COVID-19 protocols of social distancing, minimal attendance and devoid of the traditional march-past and cultural presentations at the state-level function.
The main celebration at the State Secretariate Plaza had the minimum presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer, couple of cabinet ministers, lone Rajya Sabha MP from the state, K G Kenye, senior bureaucrats, top ranking officials of the police, paramilitary and armed forces, besides a handful of head of departments.
The diginitaries wore face masks while hand sanitisers were placed at the entrance.
Aug 15, 2020 18:46 (IST)
Independence Day: Mammoth steps taken to make country self-reliant in defence sector, Says PM
India has as much commitment to make its security apparatus and Army strong as it has for establishing peace and harmony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, stressing that mammoth steps have been taken to make the country self-reliant in the defence sector.
In his Independence Day speech, PM Modi said recently, import of more than 100 military equipment has been stopped.
"From missiles to light military helicopters, from assault rifles to transport aircraft - all will be made in India. Our Tejas is getting ready to equip itself as per the modern requirements, for putting up a show of its majesty, speed and strength," he said.
Tejas is the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft which has been also been inducted in the Indian Air Force.
Aug 15, 2020 18:25 (IST)
PM Modi thanks world leaders for Independence Day wishes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked world leaders for extending warm greetings on the occasion of India's 74th Independence Day on Saturday.
Earlier today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended greetings to PM Modi and the people of India stating that India has "so much to be proud of". "Wishing my very good friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all the people of #IncredibleIndia a joyful #IndiaIndependenceDay. You have so much to be proud of," he tweeted.
PM Modi replied to the tweet saying that the Israeli Prime Minister's ''special affection'' towards India is clearly visible.
PM Modi also thanked Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison for extending his greetings on Independence Day.
"Thank you, Australia. Thank you PM Scott Morrison. Grateful for the Independence Day wishes. Fully agree with what my friend, PM Morrison says about India-Australia friendship. May it keep growing in the years to come and, contribute to world peace and progress," PM Modi said in a reply to Morrison's tweet.PM Modi thanks world leaders for Independence Day wishes
Aug 15, 2020 18:14 (IST)
Independence Day: WHO Chief Scientist honoured with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's special award
Chief Scientist of World Health Organisation, Soumya Swaminathan was on Saturday conferred with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's special award, in recognition of her advisory role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
Ms Swaminathan received the award from Chief Minister K Palaniswami on the 74th Independence Day celebration at Fort St George in Chennai.
The WHO representative has been offering suggestions to the state health department to step up measures in fighting the pandemic.
Later, speaking to reporters, Ms Swaminathan thanked the state government for selecting her and advised people to follow the pandemic protocols while venturing out.
Aug 15, 2020 18:11 (IST)
PM Modi rues absence of children at Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations
Clad in thematic wear, every Independence Day they sit on the lawns of the Red Fort in a colourful pattern drawing the attention of the crowd, but on Saturday, school children were conspicuous by their absence at the venue.
Children are vulnerable to the coronavirus infection and so, in view of the containment measures adopted for the event, they did not take part in the celebrations this year, which were significantly scaled down due to the COVID-19 situation.
"Today, our children are not here with us. The coronavirus pandemic has halted all of us," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
Everyone felt their absence as children clap and cheer loudly throughout the event, but this time, it was a rather quiet affair in keeping with the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Aug 15, 2020 18:04 (IST)
Independence Day: Quarantined youngsters, the 1st responders at Kerala crash site, raise tricolour
Eight quarantined youngsters, who were among the first responders to reach the Air India Express crash site in Malappuram and help evacuate passengers, did not let their seclusion come in the way of hoisting the tricolour on Independence day at one of their homes on Saturday.
A video of the youngsters, all quarantined at one of their homes, saluting the national flag hoisted in a makeshift flag post, has gone viral.
"As far as we know, this is the day when we get to hoist our national flag and salute it without any protocol issues. We didn't want to miss the opportunity even though we are under quarantine," Fazal, one of the members, told PTI.
Aug 15, 2020 17:49 (IST)
Independence Day: Israeli President congratulates India in Hebrew
Israel President Reuven Rivlin has congratulated India on its 74th Independence Day in a video message, saying "may the deep friendship and partnership between our nations and people continue to grow and flourish".
He said that Israel and India are two ancient nations with young states. Their deep friendship is based on the shared values of democracy and freedom and shared commitment to innovation, education and development.
"In the name of the state and people of Israel, I send our warmest wishes to President Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and the people of India on your 74th Independence Day. As we say in Hebrew ''Mazal Tov'' (congratulations). Good luck", he said.
