76th Independence Day: PM Modi addresses nation from iconic Red Fort | India News

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday greeted people from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort on the country’s 76th Independence Day.
Before beginning his address for the 9th time from the historic Mughal-era fort in Delhi, the Prime Minister – wearing the traditional kurta and churidar paired with a blue jacket – unfurled the national flag.
The National Flag Guard comprising five officers and 128 men from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Delhi Police presented ‘Rashtriya Salute’ at the time of unfurling of the National Flag by the Prime Minister.
The PM, known for his tradition of donning flamboyant and colourful turbans for his Independence Day looks since 2014, chose to wear a white safa with tricolour stripes and a long trail this time.
PM Modi was received by Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, minister of state for defence Ajay Bhatt and defence secretary Dr Ajay Kumar.
Earlier today, the PM extended his greetings to people on Twitter. “Greetings on this very special Independence Day. Jai Hind!” the Prime Minister said in a tweet.

The August 15 ceremony is particularly significant this year as it marks the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.
For the first time, a home-grown howitzer gun, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), developed under the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, fired during the ceremonial 21-gun salute. The gun is completely indigenous, designed and developed by DRDO. The gun stands as a testament to India’s growing capacity of developing arms and ammunition indigenously. The gun has been especially customised, with certain technical specifications being tweaked for the ceremony.
In continuation to the initiative taken during Republic Day 2022, the unsung heroes of the society, who are usually overlooked, have been invited as special guests for the Ceremony. These include anganwadi workers, street vendors, mudra scheme borrowers and mortuary workers.