Olympic contingent special invitees at Red Fort

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 14

This Independence Day, 32 Olympic medal winners, including javelin thrower Subedar Neeraj Chopra, India’s first-ever track and field gold medallist, along with two Sports Authority of India (SAI) officials, have been invited to the Red Fort as special guests on the 75th Independence Day.

Around 240 Olympians, support staff, SAI and sports federation officials have also been invited to grace the occasion.

Also, to honour Covid warriors, who played a vital role in fighting the invisible enemy, a separate block on the south side of the rampart has been created.

The Ministry of Defence said this year, after the National Flag hoisting by Prime Minister, flower petals would be showered at the venue by two Mi-17 1V helicopters of the Indian Air Force.

Later, the Prime Minister will address the nation. At the conclusion of his speech, cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) will sing the National Anthem. As many as 500 NCC cadets from different schools will be taking part in the event.

It may be recalled that the Prime Minister had launched ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ from Sabarmati Ashram in March 2021 to celebrate 75 years of India’s Independence. The celebrations will continue till August 15, 2023. The Prime Minister will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt and Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar.

About I-Day Celebrations

The Navy Band, consisting of 16 men, will play the National Anthem during hoisting of the National Flag and the ‘Rashtriya Salute’. The band will be conducted by MCPO Vincent Johnson.
Lt Commander P Priyambada Sahoo will assist the Prime Minister in hoisting the flag. It will be synchronised with the 21-gun salute by the valiant gunners of the elite 2233 Field Battery (Ceremonial).
The ceremonial battery is commanded by Lt Col Jitendra Singh Mehta, and the Gun Position Officer will be Naib Subedar (AIG) Anil Chand.