Modi to address nation from Red Fort on 79th Independence Day

India will celebrate its 79th Independence Day on Friday, August 15, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the ceremony from the historic Red Fort in Delhi. This year’s theme is ‘Naya Bharat’ (New India), which reflects the country’s vision to become a strong, secure, and developed nation by 2047.

The celebrations will also highlight the success of Operation Sindoor, an anti-terror mission that represents India’s firm stand against terrorism and its commitment to national security. The logo of the operation will be seen in many places at the event, including Gyanpath, floral decorations, and invitation cards.

Ceremonial events and Operation Sindoor

When PM Modi arrives at the Red Fort, he will be welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. He will inspect a Guard of Honour made up of 96 members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police. This year, the Indian Air Force is in charge of the Guard of Honour.

After the inspection, the Prime Minister will go to the ramparts of the fort. There, Flying Officer Rashika Sharma will help him unfurl the National Flag. The flag hoisting will happen at the same time as a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery using locally made 105mm Light Field Guns.

For the first time, 11 Agniveer Vayu musicians will join the Indian Air Force band to play the National Anthem. Above the venue, two IAF Mi-17 helicopters will drop flower petals. One helicopter will carry the Tricolour, while the other will carry the Operation Sindoor flag.

The ceremony will also include a special formation at Gyanpath. Around 2,500 NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers will form the Naya Bharat logo. They will also sing the National Anthem after PM Modi finishes his address to the nation.

ALSO READ: Significance of IAF downing an ELINT, AEW&C aircraft in Operation Sindoor

ALSO READ: India’s strategic options to counter Trump’s tariff pressure

Special guests and public participation

Around 5,000 special guests from across India have been invited to attend. These include:

• Winners of the Special Olympics 2025 and other international sports events

• Gold medallists of the Khelo India Para Games

• Top-performing farmers, entrepreneurs, and village leaders

• Members of self-help groups and beneficiaries of government schemes like PM Awaas Yojana, PM-VIKAS, Lakhpati Didi, and Vibrant Villages

• Rescued bonded labourers, Anganwadi workers, and social workers

• Innovators from Defence Excellence programs, tribal children from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and national competition winners

In addition, 1,500 people wearing traditional clothes from different states will represent India’s cultural diversity.

To make the event comfortable for visitors, 25 cloakrooms will be set up at 12 different places. Wheelchair assistance will be available at metro stations, and 190 My Bharat and NCC volunteers will help guide guests. There will also be parking space for 250 cars. On August 15, metro services will start early at 4:00 am so that people can reach the venue easily.

Competitions and celebrations across the country

Before Independence Day, the Defence Ministry and MyGov organised several competitions to encourage public participation. These included:

• A contest to design the Gyanpath formation

• An essay competition on Operation Sindoor

• A painting competition on New India Empowered India

• A reel-making contest on Walk to Independence Monuments

• Online quizzes on topics such as women in nation-building, border history, and defence innovation

About 1,000 winners of these contests have been invited to attend the Red Fort celebrations in person.

Another first for this year is the large-scale musical celebrations across the country. Military bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, paramilitary forces, and Railway Protection Force will perform patriotic songs at over 140 famous locations on the evening of August 15. These performances will honour the courage and unity of India’s armed forces.

This year’s Independence Day is planned as a grand mix of tradition and modern vision. From the ceremonial guard and flag unfurling at the Red Fort to the special recognition of Operation Sindoor and the strong visual display of Naya Bharat, the celebrations aim to showcase India’s achievements and ambitions. The involvement of diverse guests, cultural representations, and public competitions makes the event inclusive and participatory.

India’s 79th Independence Day will not only honour the country’s past struggles for freedom but also highlight its present progress and future aspirations as a confident, secure, and forward-looking nation.