Independence Day celebrations from the ramparts of Red Fort in Delhi are among the most auspicious annual events in India.
However, the celebrations of the 74th Independence Day on August 15, 2020 will be quite different in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
This year’s Independence Day celebrations will be a low-key affair as the country is still in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
In an advisory, the Ministry of Home Affairs has released the guidelines for the Independence Day celebrations at different levels in the states and Union Territories.
Some of the Guidelines Include
- No performances by school children
- No Large congregation in the ceremony
- Social distancing norms, wearing masks, etc., should be followed
- Staff and police personnel should be in PPE kits
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Instead of around 1,000 invitees every year at the Red Fort, only around 200-250 people will be present at the celebrations this year. There will be no performances by children; instead, 300 NCC cadets would be invited.
The Ceremony at Red Fort Consists Of
- Presentation of a Guard of Honour by the Armed Forces and the Delhi Police to the PM
- Unfurling of National Flag by PM
- Playing of Nation Anthem
- Firing of 21-gun Salute
- Speech by PM
- Release of tri-colored balloons
After the flag hosting, there will be an ‘At Home‘ reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in the afternoon. However, the MHA has not shared any program details of the ‘At Home’ reception.
Meanwhile, the ministry has urged the states to boost the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” theme.
“It would be appropriate that the theme of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ is suitably spread and publicized among the masses through various activities/ messages in the functions and on the social media during the Independence Day celebrations,” said the MHA.
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Moreover, the MHA also said that the people at the forefront of the COVID-19 fight, such as doctors, health and sanitation workers, should be invited to recognize their noble service.