Thursday’s weather seemed completely in sync with the festive mood of people, on the 67th Independence Day, at the majestic Red Fort. In addition, the high spirits of schoolchildren and guests easily triumphed over any dampener the tight security cover could have proved.
The clouds too patiently waited for the programme to end and as soon as the Prime Minister left the Red Fort after delivering his speech, the heavens opened up. This brought huge cheer to the children, who got a chance to try out their new raincoats, provided by the Government for the occasion.
While the streets remained mostly deserted in the first half of the day, the Red Fort programme managed to pull in sizeable audience. Over 3,500 girl students from 36 Government schools of Delhi, dressed in tracksuits, made the National Flag in formation. Some 700 NCC cadets also took part.
Children greeted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by waving their caps and scarves when he reached Red Fort after a visit to Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. At 7.20 am, Singh’s cavalcade reached the lahore Gate where he was received by Defence Minister AK Antony, Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh and Defence Secretary RK Mathur. Mathur then introduced the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Delhi Area, lt General Subroto Mitra, to Singh.
Singh was presented a general salute by combined Inter-Services contingent of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police. The PM inspected the Guard of Honour and proceeded to the ramparts of Red Fort, where Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne and Vice-Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral RK Dhowan greeted him.
Unfurling of the National Flag was synchronised with the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute by the 871 Field Regiment (SHINGO). The celebrations culminated in release of balloons with the Tricolour, a reflection of the spirit of true freedom. lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, senior BJP leader lK Advani, leaders of Opposition in the two Houses Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj, a host of other dignitaries and foreign diplomats were also present. The PM’s wife Gursharan Kaur was seen seated next to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.