Patriotism in air on I Day as PM unfurls Tricolour at Red Fort

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Aug 15 (UNI) Patriotic fervour marked the celebration of completion of 60 years of Nation's Independence from British Rule as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today unfurled the National Flag on the ramparts of the Red Fort.

At a colourful function at the historic Red Fort, which also marked the observance of the 150th anniversary year of the first War of Indian Independence in 1857 as also the 100th birth anniversary year of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, Dr Singh unfurled the tricolour which synchronized with the 21 gun salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 299 Field Regiment with the National Anthem playing in the background.

After unfurling the Tricolour, Dr Manmohan Singh addressed the nation.

Lending a colourful ambience to the event, which was marked by unprecedented security in and around the Red Fort, was the sight of 3550 girl students from government and government-aided schools across Delhi, dressed up in Saffron, White and Green clothes, thus forming a unique combination of colours of the National Flag.

A colourful finale to the event, which saw presence of celebrities from across the political spectrum including President Pratibha Patil, Vice president Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, member of the Union Cabinet and many others, was given by the releasing in the air of hundreds of balloons in the colours of the Indian flag.

Earlier, before the Prime Minister's arrival, patriotic songs like 'Hum Sab Bharatiya Hain', 'Ekla Chalo Re', 'Chodo Kal ki Baatein' and 'Mera Rang De Basanti Chola' and 'Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna' were sung in different languages of the country by the girl students from government and government-aided schools across Delhi.

Joining the children in the rendition of patriotic songs were about 1,000 Junior Division Cadets of the National Cadet Corps from Delhi Directorate comprising Army, Navy, Air Force and Girls wings.

The NCC cadets also participated in the Flag Hoisting Ceremony this year.

Adding to the patriotic feeling was the singing of the National Anthem by the school children in the Flag Hoisting ceremony.

The 21 gun salute was fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 299 Field Regiment while the National Anthem was played in the background by the Air Force Band.

The band was conducted by Junior Warrant Officer Alfred. The Guard of Honour was positioned directly in front of the National Flag across the moat below the rampart.

The National Flag Guard that presented the Rashtriya salute to the National Flag comprised 133 men that formed up in four combined inter services contingents of Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police.

The combined Guard was commanded by Wg Cdr Rajesh Bhandari. Each contingent comprised 32 men and one officer. The Naval Contingent was commanded by Lt Cdr Manish Gupta, the Army contingent by Lt.

Rajender Negi and the Air Force contingent by Sq. Ldr. Sachin Gupta. The Delhi Police contingent was commanded by Additional DCP, H S Dhaliwal.

The Army contingent for National Flag Guard is from the 20th battalion of the Sikh Regiment. Also known as 'Towering Twenty', the battalion was raised on March 1, 1976. The battalion has the unique distinction of being the first regular infantry unit to have served twice on the Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield of the world.

The unit has been awarded with one Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, three Shaurya Chakras, 14 Sena Medal, 4 Mention in Dispatches and a host of Commendation Cards.

The Prime Minister's speech, which included announcement of a series of initiatives in fields of education, agriculture, industry and for senior citizens, was greeted by cheers from about 5000 students from 30 schools of Delhi who gathered at the Red Fort as spectators to celebrate the anniversary of India's Independence.

Earlier, on arrival X X X Picking up from para one of DI 23, DAY-CELEBRATION TWO LAST NEW DELHI.

UNI

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