Independence Day celebrations | Over 4,000 invited for Red Fort event, says Defence Ministry
The HinduOver 4,000 people including diplomats, officials and media personnel have been invited for the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort and it is being organised maintaining a balance between dignity of the event and factoring in COVID-19 protocols, the Defence Ministry said on Friday. The ministry said, “Adequate medical booths at four locations, one near the Rampart, one in Madhavdas Park and two in 15 August Park have been set up to cater to any attendee who is detected having any symptoms related to COVID-19 during entry.” Ambulances would also be stationed at these four locations, it added. Independence day speech Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his seventh straight Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort — an address that comes amid the coronavirus pandemic, a border standoff with China and a slew of reforms by the government under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Fresh from his re-election with a thumping mandate, Mr. Modi, in his Independence Day speech last year, had highlighted his government’s move to bring in the law against triple talaq and to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.