The stage is set for the 77th Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort in New Delhi, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with around 1,800 special guests, selfie points, and 1,100 NCC cadets in attendance.

The special guests, representing various walks of life, have been invited from across the country, with a total of 17,000 e-invitation cards issued. The Red Fort has been adorned with G-20 logo floral decorations in preparation for the event, which will include the National Flag unfurling, a 21-gun salute, PM Modi’s address, and the national anthem sung by NCC cadets.

These special guests have been invited as part of the government’s Jan Bhagidari initiative to promote public participation in governance. They include representatives from various sectors, such as village Sarpanches, farmers, skilled workers, and educators. Additionally, 75 couples from each State/Union Territory have been invited to participate in the celebrations.

Following the PM’s speech, 1,100 NCC cadets from different schools across the country will sing the national anthem. An online selfie contest will also be conducted by the Ministry of Defence as part of the Independence Day celebrations, with selfie points dedicated to government initiatives installed at 12 locations. Participants are encouraged to upload their selfies on the MyGov platform for a chance to win prize money of Rs 10,000 each.