Amid intelligence alerts about possible terror attacks, security was beefed up in the national capital on Monday, with around 47,000 personnel deployed ahead of Independence Day celebrations, officials said. Around 25,000 security personnel will be deployed in and around New Delhi, north Delhi and major central Delhi areas, a police official said. [caption id=“attachment_3931879” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Army men with sniffer dogs and metal detectors inspect security preparations. PTI[/caption] The Red Fort and its surrounding areas within a five-km radius will be taken care of by about 90 companies of security forces (over 9,000 men). Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 71st Independence Day on Tuesday. Officials said anti-aircraft and anti-drone guns have been deployed in and around Red Fort. An additional 500 closed-circuit television and high-resolution cameras have been placed in and around Red Fort. “Anti-social elements or terrorists could pose a threat to the safety of people and vital installations by using unconventional aerial platforms. All neighbouring states have also been alerted and security beefed up on Delhi’s borders,” an official said. Besides Delhi Police, personnel of paramilitary forces and National Security Guard will be on duty. The official said that after the killing of several top-rung militants in Jammu and Kashmir, there are also reports that outfits in that state could be looking at carrying out terror attacks. Delhi Police spokesperson Madhur Verma told IANS, “Security personnel will look out for flying objects like para-motors, hang-gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles, microlight aircraft, and remotely-piloted and small-powered aircraft.” Flying of aerial vehicles like quadcopters, paragliders, and hot-air balloons has been banned in Delhi in the run-up to the Indpendence Day. Police officials said Metro rail services on the Blue Line will be run as usual. However, boarding and de-boarding at the Red Fort and Jama Masjid stations on the Violet Line will not be allowed after 6.30 am till the Independence Day function at Red Fort ends. Officials said security personnel in plain-clothes will be deployed in several areas. NSG snipers too have been deployed on rooftops and strategically important points. Police have carried out security checks at hotels and guesthouses, specially in areas around Red Fort. Roads leading to Red Fort — Netaji Subhash Marg, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Nishad Raj Marg and Link Road — will be out of bounds for traffic for four hours from 5 am on Tuesday. Joint commissioner of police (Traffic) Garima Bhatnagar told IANS that people can use the Delhi Metro and alight at Delhi Gate, Chandni Chowk, or Kashmere Gate stations to reach Red Fort. She appealed to the public not to touch any suspicious object and report any unidentified/suspicious object or individual or vehicle to the nearest security personnel. With inputs from IANS
Independence Day 2017 highlights: Congress tears into Narendra Modi's speech, terms it 'most disappointing'
Security was beefed up in Delhi, with around 47,000 personnel deployed ahead of Independence Day celebrations, officials said.
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India-Pakistan border guards exchange sweets at Attari-Wagah border
Mehbooba Mufti welcomes PM Modi’s Kashmir remarks in his Independence Day speech
Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day remarks on Kashmir. In his Red Fort speech Modi said neither bullets nor abuses would resolve the Kashmir issue, it can only be resolved by embracing the people with love.
In a statement Mufti said she has all along maintained that dialogue and peaceful means could alone resolve the issue as violence had only wrought more destruction in the state.
Imposition of language on state unconstitutional: Siddaramaiah
In his Independence Day speech, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said “imposition” of any language on a state, which has its own official language, is unconstitutional. The statement comes against the backdrop of protests by pro-Kannada outfits against use of Hindi on Namma Metro signboards.
Watch: Independence Day celebration at Attari-Wagah border
Here’s how West Bengal celebrated Independence Day
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee unfurled the tricolour and inspected a colourful parade on Tuesday as the state joined the nation in celebrating the 71st Independence Day. The main function at the arterial Indira Gandhi Sarani (erstwhile Red Road) was attended by Banerjee, her ministers, senior bureaucrats and members of the diplomatic corps. Banerjee hoisted the national flag and inspected a guard of honour given by the state and city police
Bits from history: Numbers that divided India
190: The number of years the British ruled in India, first through the East India Company and then the Crown
40: The number of days British judge Cyril Radcliffe was given to draw the new boundaries that would divide the subcontinent into India and Pakistan
15 million: The number who migrated, often by foot, during Partition
Tricolour unfurled in presence of women bikers
Pinarayi Vijayan terms Gorakhpur hospital tragedy as ‘irreversible’
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday termed the Gorakhpur hospital tragedy as “irreversible” and said the lives lost can never be got back, in his address at the Independence Day function. “The Gorakhpur incident is one which is irreversible, and we can never get back what has been lost,” said Vijayan.
US greets India on Independence Day
The United States on Tuesday greeted India on its Independence Day and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious vision for India-United States ties holds great promise for advancing their shared interests in the 21st century.
In a statement released by his office, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said: “On behalf of the government of the US, best wishes to the people of India as they celebrate their independence day and continue the journey we began together 70 years ago.”
Arvind Kejriwal promises skill development centres in Independence Day speech
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday promised to open more than 25 skill development centres and fight dengue and chikungunya in the national capital. “Within one year, we will open 25-30 centres (for skill development) in Delhi,” the chief minister said in his Independence Day address at the Chhatrasal Stadium.
In Picture: BSF personnel hold afloat the Indian flag
On Independence Day, Manohar Parrikar appeals to people to make Goa plastic-fee by 2020
Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday appealed to the people to join hands with the government to make the state free of plastic by 2020. Parrikar said a collective approach to support the government’s initiatives is required to make the coastal state completely free of plastic, by the set deadline of 2020.
“Today let’s resolve to make Goa a plastic-free state. The state government has already imposed a ban on bags of below 50 micron (thickness). The implementation of the ban would be done soon,” he said addressing the main state-level function to mark the Independence Day. – PTI
In Picture: People from Muslim community release tricolour balloons during celebrations in Ahmedabad
India opens first Partition museum after 70 years
A new museum on the Partition of the Indian subcontinent will open this week, as the two South Asian giants mark seven decades as independent nations, Livemint reported.
The exhibitions, housed in the red-brick Town Hall building in Amritsar, include photographs, newspaper clippings and donated personal items meant to tell the story of how the region’s struggle for freedom from colonial rule turned into one of its most violent episodes.
Bits from history: Ancient sites were turned into refugee camps as people fled partition
The Partition of India sparked one of the greatest mass migrations in modern history, with millions seeking sanctuary from the violence inside ancient tombs and forts — transforming them into sprawling refugee camps.
In New Delhi, where law and order had almost completely broken down, tens of thousands of Muslims sheltered behind the 16th-century walls of Humayun’s Tomb waiting for safe passage to Pakistan. Tents were erected in the fine gardens surrounding the spectacular mausoleum — the inspiration for the Taj Mahal — and spilled over to encircle the smaller tombs dotting the Mughal-era complex. – AFP
Salim-Sulaiman dedicate a song to soldiers on Independence Day
Meanwhile, Lalu Prasad Yadav terms Centre’s surgical operation as ‘staged’
Of 8 claims made by prime minister, only 3 promises fulfilled completely
According to an IndiaSpend report, Of eight claims made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in three independence day speeches from 2014 to 2016, three have been kept and five have been partially kept.
Consumer inflation declined, defence pensioners were granted “One Rank One Pension” and pension for freedom fighters were increased but economic growth faltered, area under pulses cultivation did not increase as claimed and the promise to build separate toilets for girls in government schools is marginally short of target as per the promises made by Modi during his three independence day speeches.
In Picture: Ram Nath Kovind paying homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti
Nitish Kumar quotes Mahatma Gandhi in Independence Day speech to take a dig at Lalu Yadav
Taking a dig at RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar quoted Mahatma Gandhi on Tuesday and said that nature had enough to fulfil needs but not greed. “It is important that people get rid of their greed,” he was quoted as saying. Nitish, who was commenting on the “fund transfer scam” expose in Bhagalpur, said that those responsible in the scam would not go unpunished
Read the full report here
In Pictures: Celebrations at Indian embassy in Kathmandu
Why did the RSS not fly Tricolour for 52 years?
The RSS and the Tricolour have had a fascinating history of resistance, rejection and acceptance. It may come as a rude surprise to neo recruits like Sharma that the RSS — not the Congis+Commies+Left– did not hoist the National Flag at its headquarters for 52 years.
The National Flag was first hoisted at the Sangh headquarters on August 15, 1947 and then on January 26, 1950. The Tiranga was seen flying next time at the RSS premises in 2002, when it was hoisted at the HQ and Smruti Bhawan, the building that houses the memorials of its founder Hedgewar and Guru Golwalkar.
Read the entire analysis here
India gifts 30 ambulances to Nepal on Independence Day
India on Tuesday gifted 30 ambulances and six buses to Nepalese hospitals, charitable organisations and educational institutions on the occasion of its 71st Independence Day.
India’s Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri handed over the keys of the vehicles to the representatives of various organisations at a function in the premises of Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. – PTI
Narendra Modi breaks from security cover to meet children
Narendra Modi was left literally overwhelmed by the response he received from the children at the Red Fort after he ventured forth to greet them during the Independence Day celebrations. After delivering a nearly hour-long speech from the ramparts of the iconic monument, he waved to the crowd and moved to his motorcade for departure.
But, on his way out, Modi halted it and broke from the security cover to enter an enclosure where children welcomed him with loud cheers. While Modi had last year also moved out of his security cordon to greet children, the response from the students this year was far too overwhelming as they jostled to catch a glimpse of the prime minister or shake hands with him.
In Pictures: Independence Day celebrations in Goa
Indian embassy in Nepal marks Independence Day
The Indian embassy in Nepal celebrated India’s 71st Independence Day at a public ceremony on Tuesday.
Indian ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri hoisted the national flag and read out the message of President Ram Nath Kovind at the event attended by several embassy officials along with their families and members of the Indian community.
Amarinder Singh pledges to implement farm debt waiver scheme soon
Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh assured farmers that his government will soon implement the promised farm-debt waiver scheme in about a months time and appealed to them to not consider suicide or any other extreme step to escape their loan burden.
Speaking at the Independence Day celebrations after unfurling the national flag, the chief minister also announced the launch of a recruitment campaign for the government sector to fill all critical vacant posts.
In Picture: Arvind Kejriwal reviews celebrations at Chhatrasal Stadium
Peaceful celebrations in Manipur despite boycott call
Manipur saw peaceful celebrations of the 71st Independence Day on Tuesday despite a boycott and strike called by seven insurgent groups. Chief Minister N Biren Singh unfurled the national flag and took salute from 43 contingents in the Ist Manipur Rifles parade ground.
Explaining the slew of developmental works and other people-oriented projects undertaken by the BJP-led coalition, he said: “A government is there to serve the people.”
Vijay Rupani outlines achievements of Gujarat government in Independence Day speech
Telangana govt to fill up over 84,000 job vacancies
The Telangana government would soon take steps to fill up about 85,000 government jobs, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao said in his Independence Day address on Tuesday.
“On this happy and auspicious occasion of the Independence Day, I would like to give good news to the unemployed youth. I am happy to announce that besides 27,660 appointments so far we made, measures are being taken to make appointments for another 84,876 jobs shortly,” he said.
Naveen Patnaik falls ill during Independence Day function
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday suddenly felt unwell while addressing the people at the Independence Day function, but recovered soon. “The chief minister suddenly did not feel well due to humidity. Now he is completely OK and at Naveen Nivas (his residence),” an official of the chief minister’s office said.
In Pictures: Independence Day celebrated in Pakistan
Bits from history: The last Nawab of Bhopal did not accede to the Indian state
On August 15, 1947, as Indians woke up to a free nation, people in Bhopal found it hard to even unfurl a national flag, let alone savouring the newfound freedom which was attained after decades of sacrifice and struggle.
The last Nawab of Bhopal, Hamidullah Khan, did not accede to the Indian state or allow celebrations, News18 . Some of the elements backing Khan went on to unfurl Pakistan’s flag at several places leading to tension, say historians.
Pinarayi Vijayan urges Indians to defeat ‘attempt to poison idea of nationalism’
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged people to defeat any attempt to “poison and dilute” the idea of nationalism in the country, “which has evolved through diversity, secularism, and democratic values”.
In his address after unfurling the national flag at the Central Stadium on the 71st Independence Day, he said nationalism does not mean hatred towards others’ religion, language or “other” nations.
In Pictures: Independence Day celebrated in Japan
Congress terms Narendra Modi’s speech ‘most disappointing’
The Congress described Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech as “most disappointing” and said his promise of curbing black money “remains a sham”. “His fight against black money was a sham and remains a sham,” Congress leader Anand Sharma told reporters. Sharma said the Modi government has “promoted black money hoarding” and promoted “crony capitalism”.
Kiran Bedi launches prison reform programme in Puducherry
Dressed in his trademark half-sleeved kurta, Narendra Modi was greeted with thunderous applause
Thunderous applause greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his motorcade arrived at the Red Fort at 7.23 am on Tuesday, with thousands of people who had assembled there rising to catch a glimpse of him.
The prime minister, who unfurled the national flag at the historic Red Fort on the 70th anniversary of India’s independence, was dressed in his trademark half-sleeved kurta and sported a turban.
Modi got down from his black Range Rover and waved to the crowd, which included hundreds of schoolchildren. He was received by Union minister Arun Jaitley, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre and defence secretary Sanjay Mitra. – PTI
BSF men send greetings to the nation