India
India is celebrating its 74th Independence Day today on August 15, amidst the coronavirus crisis.
Updated : Aug 15, 2020, 12:18 PM IST | Edited by : Abhishek Sharma
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Saturday from ramparts of the Red Fort. This was PM Modi's 7th consecutive Independence Day speech.
This year, the Independence Day function at Red Fort this year will be relatively muted in terms of participation of people in view of the situation created by COVID-19. Compared to the past, about 20 per cent VVIPs or other participants are present.
The arrangements have been made keeping in view social distancing norms.
In previous years, nearly 900 VVIPs used to be accommodated on either side of the main podium. This number will be down to about 130 this year, officials said.
Around 4,000 personnel will be on security duty for the function.
Police officials said that 350 Delhi police personnel, who will be part of the guard of honour at the Red Fort on August 15 have been quarantined at a police colony in Delhi Cantonment.
The Home Ministry, in its advisory, has called upon states to avoid the congregation of people and use of technology for the telecast of celebrations.
The ministry said it is imperative to follow certain preventive measures such as maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, sanitisation and protecting vulnerable persons.
Whenever women received opportunity, they made India proud & strengthened it. Today, nation is determined to provide equal opprtunities of self-emloyment & employment to them. Today women are working in coal mines, our daughters are touching the sky while flying fighter plane: PM
I agree that there are lakhs of challenges for Aatmanirbhar Bharat & they increase if there is global competitiveness. However, if there are lakhs of challenges then the country also has power which gives crores of solutions, my countrymen who give us the strength of solution: PM