India Celebrates 67th Independence Day With Fervor : Report

New Delhi, Aug 17, IRNA – Indians on Thursday celebrated their 67th Independence Day with fervor, across the country. Unfurling the national flag, colorful functions and cultural events were held countrywide to mark the Independence day celebrations today on 15th August. President Pranab Mukherjee led the nation to pay floral tributes to armed forces at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate in Delhi. He was accompanied by Three Service Chiefs. The main Independence day function was held at the Red Fort in the capital Delhi. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh unfurled the tri-color National Flag from the ramparts of the Red Fort after which he addressed the nation. The PM spoke on various issues ranging from inspiring growth in the country to killings of Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control. After the Prime Minister’s address, school children and NCC Cadets sang the National Anthem. Seven hundred Cadets of the National Cadet Corps from the Delhi Directorate comprising Army, Navy and Air Force wings participated in the flag hoisting ceremony this year. Besides, three thousand five hundred girl students from 36 government schools of northern, eastern, central and north-eastern zones of Directorate of Education, Government of Delhi also participated. On this occasion these students, dressed in tri-color, created a replica of national flag by human structure. Similar Independence day celebrations were held in all the States where Chief Ministers unfurled the national flag and took salute at the parade. Several state governments launched welfare schemes to mark the occasion. A tight security blanket was thrown across the country on the eve of Independence Day to thwart any terror strike even as an elaborate ground-to-air security apparatus was put in place. Independence Day, observed annually on 15 August, is a national holiday in India commemorating the nations independence from British rule on 15 August 1947./end