Take Independence Day function seriously, celebrate it in villages: Modi government tells states

A small children is showing respect by salute to India 'Flag'

NEW DELHI: Indicating that it takes the occasion of the Independence Day and its celebrations seriously and so should the states, the Narendra Modi government has spelt out guidelines to all states on how the August 15 function should be held this time, right up to the block and village level.

ET has accessed a letter written by the Home Ministry to the chief secretaries of all states on August 8, specifying the model drill for Independence Day celebrations at state, district, block and even the village level. The Home Ministry has said in the letter that amongst other things, "the speech at the function must explain the significance of 15th August and extort the audience to work for the unity and integrity of the country."

A ministry official told ET that the effort was to ensure that August 15 celebrations across the country have a similar template, right down to the village level, so that people across the country can feel "empowered" on the day of the event. The ceremony across India should begin after 9 am, the guidelines specify.

The letter indicates that the new government wants states to take the August 15 function seriously and ensure senior dignitaries are present to grace the occasion. It has hence been specified in the guidelines that who will unfurl the national flag at the state, district, block and village level.

The Home Ministry says that while it will be the Chief Minister who will unfurl the national flag and give a speech at the state capital, the honours will be done by a Minister or Police Commissioner or District Magistrate at the district level, a Minister or a sub-divisional magistrate at the block level and the Sarpanch or the village head-man at the village level.

Rural sports and recognising importance of rural development should also be made part of the Independence Day celebrations at the state and village level, the Home Ministry has said.

"Other functions of the day may include sports (including rural sports), P.T. Display or display of other skills by college/school students, planting of trees, inter-school/inter-college debates, community work, launching of any important scheme of rural development, talks by selected boys/girls on the significance of August 15, cultural programmes, distribution of prizes/certificates/medals for work in the fields of national integration, small savings, afforestation, family planning or any other aspect of rural development," the Home Ministry letter mentions.

The letter says that the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi, which will be a first for Narendra Modi as the a Prime Minister, will be as usual.

"The ceremony will consist of the presentation of Guard of Honour by the Armed Forces and the Delhi Police to the a Prime Minister, unfurling of the national flag accompanied by playing of the national anthem and firing of 21 gun salute, speech by the Prime Minister, singing of the national anthem by school children/NCC cadets immediately after PM's speech and release of tri-coloured balloons at the end. There will be reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan," the home ministry letter said.

By India Times