MHA promotes ‘Atmnirbhar Bharat’ theme on Independence Day

As India celebrates its 74th Independence Day, coronavirus pandemic has subdued the celebrations but the Prime Minister has used the occasion to promote his ‘Atmnirbhar Bharat’ theme, from his speech to the directives of MHA on the celebrations of the independence day,  the theme of self reliance is being promoted by the government. The pandemic, unemployment and economic crisis have been shifted back by the PM

The Independence Day, which is traditionally marked with pomp and gaiety, will be a subdued and restricted affair this year owing to the circumstances created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Although the 74th I-Day is being celebrated in a manner befitting the occasion, it witnesses a truncated list of dignitaries, chairs instead of rugs for seating in several areas, police in personal protective equipment, and no participation of school students.The function at the Red Fort, is also being organized with 250 people instead of the 900-1000 invitees every year, as the Prime Minister addresses the nation,”. Later in the afternoon, during the ‘At Home’ function in Rashtrapati Bhavan, the focus will be on India’s “Corona Warriors”, with invitations likely to be extended to medical professionals and key figures in the health sector.

This will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s seventh I-Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort. The country wants a commitment from him to free it from coronavirus soon as he has not kept his previous promises.

The Red Fort has already been closed for public ahead of the Independence Day celebrations. A total of eight roads– Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road and its Link Road to Netaji Subhash Marg, Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT and Outer Ring Road from ISBT to IP flyover — will be closed for general public from 4 am to 10 am.Earlier, the Delhi Police had advised invitees to refrain from attending the event if they experienced any COVID symptom in the last two weeks and did not go for a test. The police had also requested them to follow COVID-related guidelines issued by the home and health ministries during the celebrations. Over 350 Delhi Police personnel, who will be part of the guard of honour, have been quarantined as a precautionary measure. These personnel of the force of all ranks — from constable to deputy commissioner of police — have been quarantined at a newly built police colony in Delhi Cantonment.

In guidelines issued to the chief secretaries of all state governments and Union Territory administrations at different levels, the Home Ministry has underlined that all programmes should be organised in a way that large congregation is avoided and technology is used in a best possible manner.

The web-casting of events has been encouraged to reach out to people at large who will be unable to participate. It also urged them to follow preventive measures such as maintaining physical distancing, wearing masks, proper sanitisation, and avoiding large gatherings.The Home ministry has suggested sound shows/lighting of important public buildings, waving of national flags by people at rooftops/balconies, propagating national integration messages/songs through social media platforms to celebrate the day. It also said that it would be appropriate that the theme of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ announced by PM Modi was suitably spread through social media.