PM unfurls National Flag at Red Fort on 61st Independence Day

New Delhi, Aug 15 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today led the Nation in celebrating the 61st Independence Day by unfurling the National Flag on the ramparts of the Red Fort.

A patriotic fervour accompanied the event at Red Fort to celebrate completion of the 60 years of India's Independence from British rule it 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.

The unfurling of the tricolour synchronized with the 21 gun salute 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 Rashtriya salute to the National Flag, comprised 133 men 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.

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

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.

The function was preceded by songs like 'Hum Sab Bharatiya Hain', 'Ekla Chalo Re', 'Chodo Kal ki Baatein' and 'Mera Rang De Basanti Chola' and 'Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna' sung in different languages of the country by 3550 girl students from government and government-aided schools across Delhi, lending a patriotic feel to the occasion.

Joining the children in the rendition of patritic songs were about One thousand 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 thisyear.

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

The sight of these children dressed up in Saffron, White and Green colour dresses added colour to the occasion.

Hundreds of balloons were also released by the children after the conclusion of the Prime Minister's speech.

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