PM Modi to lead 79th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort with ‘Naya Bharat’ theme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will spearhead the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on Friday, where he will unfurl the national flag and address the nation. This year’s celebrations will reflect the theme ‘Naya Bharat’, celebrating the country’s transformative journey through inclusive development, technological advancement, and national pride.

In a significant move towards public participation, around 5,000 special guests from across the country including achievers in sports, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and social development, have been invited to witness the historic event at the Red Fort. The special invitees include medal winners from the Special Olympics 2025, champions of the Khelo India Para Games, outstanding farmers, entrepreneurs from tribal and SC/ST communities, youth authors, Anganwadi workers, Swachhta workers, and My Bharat volunteers, among many others.

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According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, Prime Minister Modi will be received at the Red Fort by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. He will be formally welcomed by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, who will lead him to the saluting base where a combined Guard of Honour will be presented.

This year, the Indian Air Force is the coordinating service for the ceremonial proceedings. The Guard of Honour will include 96 personnel, comprising contingents from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police, led by Wing Commander AS Sekhon. The respective contingents will be commanded by Major Arjun Singh (Army), Lt Commander Komaldeep Singh (Navy), Squadron Leader Rajan Arora (Air Force), and Additional DCP Rohit Rajbir Singh (Delhi Police).

Following the inspection, the Prime Minister will ascend the ramparts of the Red Fort, greeted by the Chiefs of the three Services and the Chief of Defence Staff. The national flag will be hoisted by the Prime Minister, assisted by Flying Officer Rashika Sharma, in synchrony with a 21-gun salute fired by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial), using indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns under the command of Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat.

As the Tricolour is raised, flower petals will be showered over the venue by two Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters, led by Wing Commanders Vinay Poonia and Aditya Jaiswal. One of the helicopters will display the national flag, while the other will carry a flag symbolizing ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s recent military success that will be a key feature of this year’s celebrations.

In a strong visual tribute, Operation Sindoor’s logo will appear on view cutters, floral decorations, and even on official invitation cards, which also carry a watermark of the Chenab Bridge, representing the rise of a new and modern India.

At the end of the Prime Minister’s address, over 2,500 cadets from the NCC and My Bharat volunteers will sing the national anthem. These youth participants, seated at Gyanpath opposite the Red Fort ramparts, will form the ‘Naya Bharat’ logo, embodying the aspirations of a young and forward-looking India.

More than 1,500 individuals dressed in traditional attire, representing various states and Union Territories, will also attend the event, showcasing India’s cultural diversity.

For the first time, evening band performances will be conducted pan-India on Independence Day, featuring military and paramilitary bands including those from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, CAPFs, RPF, NCC, and others. These musical events, aimed at fostering patriotic fervor, will take place at over 140 key locations across the country.

The Ministry of Defence emphasized that this year’s celebrations are designed to go beyond traditional protocols, bringing the spirit of independence closer to the people and highlighting stories of courage, inclusion, and progress that define the nation’s present and future.