Independence Day 2019: From Kashmir To Chief Of Defence Staff Creation, Highlights Of PM's Speech
Background
New Delhi: India will celebrate its 73rd Independence Day on Thursday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort after hoisting the Tricolour at 7:30 am, amid multi-layered security arrangements.
In view of the Centre abrogating the constitutional provisions that accorded a special status to Jammu and Kashmir and amid tensions with Pakistan, security has been tightened across the national capital and the neighbouring border areas.
Prime Minister Modi to deliver sixth straight Independence Day speech:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his sixth straight Independence Day speech and is expected to touch on a host of issues, ranging from his government's landmark decision on Jammu and Kashmir to the state of economy. This will also be his first August 15 address after coming back to power with a huge mandate.
This will be Modi's sixth August 15 speech, a number equal to the addresses from the ramparts of the Red Fort by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the first and only other prime minister from the BJP. Vajpayee had given six straight speeches between 1998-2003.
The event:
The defence ministry said on Wednesday that 3,500 girl students from 41 government schools in Delhi, 5,000 boy spectators and 700 NCC cadets of 17 schools will display 'strength in unity' by the formation of words "Naya Bharat" at the venue of Modi's speech.
The guard of honour contingent for the Prime Minister will consist of one officer and 24 men each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police. It will be positioned directly in front of the National Flag across the moat below the ramparts, it added.
After inspecting the guard of honour, Modi will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his deputy Shripad Naik, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh will greet him.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) Delhi area will conduct the prime minister to the dais to unfurl the national flag, the ministry said.
Security in National Capital:
The multi-layered security ring, including National Security Guard (NSG) snipers, elite SWAT commandos and kite catchers, will be placed around the Red Fort.
Special deployments have been made by the SPG and different components of the Army and paramilitary forces, along with around 20,000 Delhi Police personnel, including those from the traffic wing.
For the first time, Delhi Police will be using cameras equipped with a facial recognition software to identify suspects around the Red Fort and the adjoining areas.
Traffic Advisory:
The Delhi Traffic Police has also issued an advisory for the Independence Day function at the Red Fort.
Metro services will be normal on August 15, with restrictions on entry and exit at some of the stations on the Violet Line. All metro stations will remain open on Independence Day but parking at the stations will be closed from 6 am on August 14 till 2 pm on August 15.
Security along LoC
The Army and BSF have been put on high alert to step up vigil along Indo-Pak border, officials said on Wednesday. In Jammu region, police has also been put on high degree of vigilance in most of the districts amid intensification of frisking and checking in Jammu city, they said.
This is the first Independence Day after the abrogation of the special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and reorganization of the state into two Union Territories.
PM Modi Announces Creation Of Chief Of Defence Staff
The CoSC comprises chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force and the senior-most among them acts as its chairman as per existing norm.
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