Independence Day 2023: From elite guests to ‘Jan Bhagidari’, Centre’s plan for August 15 celebrations

The central government is planning a big celebration for the 76^th Independence Day this year, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be unfurling the national flag on the Red Fort in Delhi, after which he will deliver a customary address to the nation.

PM Modi’s speech and the unfurling of the Indian tricolour is just one part of the grand celebrations for Independence Day 2023, planned by the central government. There will be 1800 special guests for the I-Day celebrations this year, the government announced.

Around 1800 special guests have been invited for the Independence Day celebrations as part of the ‘Jan Bhagidari’ push this year, urging the public across the country to jointly participate in the festivities.

The majority of the guests invited to be a part of the Independence Day celebrations are representatives from the Farmer Producer Organisations scheme, beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Shram Yogis (construction workers) of the Central Vista Project, Khadi workers, among others.

Further, school teachers, nurses, fishermen and workers of the Amrit Sarovar and Har Ghar Jal Yojana have also been invited.

To boost mass participation in the Independence Day 2023 celebrations, the Centre has also set up ‘selfie points’ across Delhi, and the best photos submitted to the government also have a chance of winning a cash prize.

A government press release said, “As part of the celebrations, an online selfie contest will be conducted by the Ministry of Defence on the MyGov portal from August 15-20. People are encouraged to take selfies at one or more of the 12 installations and upload them on MyGov platform to take part in the contest.”

The Indian Army has initiated strict security protocol across the national capital, and the Centre has announced that Major Nikita Nair and Major Jasmine Kaur will assist the Prime Minister in unfurling the National Flag, as per PTI reports.

As soon as PM Modi and the two female Majors unfurl the national flag at the Red Fort, two Advanced Light Helicopters Mark-III Dhruv of the Indian Air Force in the Line Astern Formation will shower flower petals across the Independence Day 2023 venue.

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