Independence Day 2024: IAF Helicopters Shower Petals As PM Modi Unfurls National Flag — WATCH

After the Tricolour was unfurled, it received the ‘Rashtriya Salute’. The Punjab regiment military band, consisting of a Junior Commissioner Officer and 25 other ranks, played the National Anthem.

Indian Air Force helicopters shower flower petals on the audience on 78th Independence Day.

Source : ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag at the Red Fort on Thursday to mark the 78th Independence Day. As he did so, flower petals were showered on the audience from the Indian Air Force's Advanced Light Helicopters. 

#WATCH | Indian Air Force's Advanced Light Helicopters shower flower petals, as PM Narendra Modi hoists the Tiranga on the ramparts of Red Fort.

(Video: PM Modi/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/466HUVkWlZ

— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2024

After the Tricolour was unfurled, it received the ‘Rashtriya Salute’. The Punjab regiment military band, consisting of one Junior Commissioner Officer (JCO) and 25 other ranks, played the National Anthem, according to ANI.

Before arriving at the Red Fort, PM Modi paid a floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Dressed in a white kurta with a blue jacket and a traditional multi-coloured safa, PM Modi was received by Union Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.

Aramane introduced the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar to PM Modi. He was then taken to the Saluting Base, where a combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard presented a general salute to the Prime Minister. Following this, PM Modi inspected the Guard of Honour, which consisted of one officer and 24 personnel each from the Army, Navy, Air Force & Delhi Police. The Indian Navy was the coordinating service this year

Following this, PM Modi began his customary address to the nation from the Red Fort.

This year marks the 11th consecutive time PM Modi has addressed the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, making him the third prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to reach this milestone. 

In his address, Modi said I-Day is a day to pay tribute to the countless people who made sacrifices and struggled for the country's freedom. "The country is indebted to them," he said.