Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, joined by 6,000 special guests as part of the government's efforts to increase public involvement. He was received by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, before conducting a general salute and inspecting a combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard. This year's theme, 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047,' reflects the government's vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.
Background
India gained independence from British colonial rule on August 15, 1947, after a long and arduous struggle marked by the nonviolent resistance movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. Since then, Independence Day has been celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm across the country.
Prime Minister Modi's Address
On the 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the historic Red Fort in Delhi. He was joined by 6,000 specially invited guests, including freedom fighters, COVID-19 warriors, and representatives from various walks of life.
In his speech, Modi emphasized the theme of 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047,' outlining his government's vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, the 100th anniversary of independence. He highlighted key priorities such as:
Special Features
This year's Independence Day celebrations featured several special programs:
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is the significance of the Indian flag?
The Indian flag consists of three horizontal stripes: saffron (top), white (middle), and green (bottom). The saffron stripe represents courage and sacrifice, the white stripe represents peace and truth, and the green stripe represents fertility and prosperity. The chakra (blue wheel) in the center symbolizes the eternal cycle of life.
2. Who hoisted the Indian flag for the first time?
Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort on August 15, 1947, marking the country's independence.
3. Why is Independence Day celebrated on August 15?
August 15 was chosen as the date for India's independence because it marked the anniversary of the partition of the Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan in 1947.
4. What are the key highlights of India's 78th Independence Day celebrations?
Key highlights included Prime Minister Modi's speech, the grand parade, cultural performances, and the illumination of the Red Fort.
5. What is the significance of the 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047' theme?
The theme reflects the government's aspiration to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, emphasizing self-reliance, inclusive growth, and technological advancement.
Tensions have risen in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district as a team arrived to survey a disputed site, where a Harihar temple was claimed to stand on the grounds of the historic Shahi Jama Masjid. Videos of cars being set on fire and stone-pelting have emerged on social media, showing the chaos that ensued. Police have used tear gas to control the situation, and a local court had ordered a second survey to be conducted after a previous one was conducted last week. Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq has spoken out in defense of the mosque, citing a Supreme Court order from 1991.
The largest gathering of nationalist thinkers and practitioners, Lokmanthan 2024, is set to begin in Hyderabad on November 21. President of India Droupadi Murmu, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and several Union ministers will engage in talks, exhibitions, cultural performances, and a food festival over the course of four days. Organized for the first time in South India, the platform aims to promote the oneness of ancient civilization through discussions with prominent academicians, thinkers, artists, and activists.
With 7 candidates vying for the Karhal MLA seat, the bypoll elections were necessitated by the resignation of Akhilesh Yadav. Watch live updates on the election process, including who is leading, trailing, and ultimately wins the seat. Karhal is part of the 21st Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh and had previously been won by Yadav's wife, Dimple Yadav. As per the gazette notification, the bypoll will take place on November 20, 2024, and the results will be announced on November 23, 2024.
On Sunday morning, Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh saw an outburst of violence when a team of surveyors arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a second survey of the mosque. The police had to resort to lathi charge and tear gas shells to control the crowd, who were throwing stones and attacking media personnel. Amidst all this chaos, the police announced that they would take strict action against those who were involved in the violence, stating that their actions were illegal under section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita.
During his monthly radio program, PM Modi emphasized the significant role youth play in shaping India's future and announced the upcoming Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue to coincide with Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary and National Youth Day. The event will bring together 2,000 young minds from across India to brainstorm and develop a roadmap for the country's progress. PM Modi also urged youth from non-political backgrounds to join politics and will personally attend as much of the dialogue as possible.
The bypoll for the Meerapur Vidhan Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh has attracted attention with a total of 11 candidates vying to be elected as the MLA. The constituency, which is part of the Bijnor Lok Sabha seat, has been necessitated due to the resignation of Chandan Chauhan. Stay updated with live result updates to find out who will be the new Member of Legislative Assembly for Meerapur.
A heated debate has arisen between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP over the issue of voter identity verification for Muslim women wearing burqas, hijabs, niqabs, and ghunghats in the upcoming UP by-election. The Samajwadi Party has approached the Election Commission demanding that Muslim women should not have to remove their burqas for checks, while the BJP argues that every voter must be identified. The Election Commission has confirmed that only the polling officer is authorised to verify voter ID cards, and police or security personnel are not permitted to check ID cards or request a woman to remove her burqa. As polling continues, the outcome of this controversy remains to be seen.
Amidst growing controversy and criticism, the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh seems to have a dilemma over its slogan, "Batoge to Katoge" coined by CM Yogi Adityanath. Within the party, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya has expressed ignorance about the slogan's context, causing opposition parties to question the party's unity. The BJP's attempts to present a consistent narrative seem to have failed as even party leaders like Ajit Pawar have spoken against the slogan. With differing slogans from top leaders, the opposition accuses the BJP of contradictions.
The results for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly polls are in, with the Shiv Sena-NCP alliance and the JMM facing a stiff challenge from the BJP. Despite facing internal divisions, the Maha Yuti alliance in Maharashtra looks set to secure a victory. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the JMM, bolstered by its I.N.D.I.A. allies, is expected to retain power. Stay updated with live updates and coverage on Deccan Herald and make sure to follow their Whatsapp, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram channels for more news.
In the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Congress faced a major defeat in direct contests with the BJP, winning only 10 out of 75 seats. This is a significant decline from their performance in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year. The BJP's average vote share per seat contested rose by 6 percentage points, while the Congress saw a decline of 14 percentage points. In some key constituencies, the Congress finished in fourth place, highlighting the immediate need for the party to reassess its strategies and connect with the voting public.