Large gathering should be avoided on independence day.

Events could be web cast in order to reach more people

Every year, the Independence Day is celebrated with grandeur, gaiety, fervour and enthusiasm.

This year also, the lndependence Day will be celebrated in a anner befitting the occasion. However, in view of spread of Covid-19 pandemic, while organizing various programmes or activiies for the Independence Day celebrations, it is imperative to follow certain preventive measures such as maintaining social distancing, wearing of masks, proper sanitization, avoiding large congregations, protecting vulnerable persons, etc.; and follow all guidelines related to Covid-19 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Therefore. all programmes should be organized in a way that large congregation of people is avoided and technology is used in a best possible manner for celebration befitting the occasion. The events organized could be web-cast in order to reach out people at large, who are not able to participate.

Keeping the above limitations and precautionary steps in view, the Independence Day Celebrations in Delhi shall consist of the following:

The Ceremony at Red Fort consisting of the presentation of a Guard of Honour by the Armed Forces and the Delhi Police to the Prime Minister (Pradhan Mantri), unfurling of the National Flag accompanied by playing of the National anthem and firing of 21-gun salute, speech by the Prime Minister, singing of the National Anthem immediately after PM’s speech, and release of tri
coloured balloons at the end.

“At Home” reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

3. For celebrations of the independence Day at different levels in the States/UTS,
certain guidelines have been prescribed, as enumerated in the succeeding
paragraphs:

4. The functions in the State/Union Territories on this day may consist of the
following:

STATE LEVEL
() A ceremony in the morning (after 9.00 AM) in the State/Union Territory

capitals consisting of unturling of the National Flag Dy the Chier
Minister playing o the National Anthem; presentation of Guard of
Honour by the Police including Para-Military Forces, Home Guards, NCC,
Scouts, etc; speech by the Chief Minister; and singing of the National
Antnem.

n view of Covid-19 pandemic, large congregation in the ceremony be
avoided. it is imperative that social distancing norms, wearing masks,
etc., are Tolowed.

(1)

it Ould also De appropriate that Covid-19 warriors like doctors, health
workers, Sanitation workers, etc., are invited in the ceremony as a
recognition of their noble service in fight against Covid-19 Pandemic.
Some persons cured from Covid-19 infection may also be invited.

m)

DISTRICT LEVEL:
() A Similar ceremony as mentioned above in the morning (after 9.00 AM)

at the District level which may, inter-alia, consist of unturling of the
National Flag by a Minister/Commissioner/ District Magistrate; playing of
the National Anthem; parade by State Police personnel, Home
Guards/NCC, Scouts; speech by the Minister/ Commissioner/ District
Magistrate explaining the significance of 15 August and exhorting the
audlence to work for the unity and integrity of the country; and singing
of the National Anthem.

In view of Covid-19 pandemic, large congregation in the ceremony De
avolded 15 imperative that social distancing norms, wearing masKS, etc

It Would also be appropriate that Covid-19 warriors like doctors, health
workers, sanítation workers, etc., are invited tn the ceremony as a recognition of their noble service in fight against Covid-19 Pandemic.
Some persons cured from Covid-19 infection may also be invited.

SUB-DIVISIONAL LEVEL/BLOCK LEVEL:
(i) Ceremonial hoisting of the National Flag by a Minister/Sub-Divisiona

Magistrate (after 9.00 AM), playing of the National Anthem, speech by
the dignitary explaining the signiffcance of 15 August and exhorting the
audience to work tor the unity and integrity of the country; unturling of
the National Flagi singing of the National Anthem, etc.

(11)

In view of Covid-19 pandemic, large congregation in the ceremony be
avoided. It is imperative that social distancing norms, Wearing masks,
etc., are followed.

It would also be appropriate that Covid-19 warriors like doctors, health
workers, sanitation workers, etC., are invited in the ceremony as a
recognitiom of their noble service in fight against Covid-19 Pandemic.
Some persons cured from Covid-19 infection may also be invited.

(ii)

PANCHAYAT HEADQUARTERS/BIGGER VILLAGES:
(i) Ceremonial hoisting of the National Flag by the Sarpanch/Village Head-

man (after 9.00 AM), playing of the National Anthem; speech by the
Sarpanch/ Village Head-man explaining the signiticance or 15 August
and exhorting the audience to work for the unity and integrity of the
COuntry; singing or the National Anthem etc.

()

In view of Covid-19 pandemic, large congregation in the ceremony be
avoided. It 1s imperative that social distancing norms, wearing masks,
etc., are Tollowed.

(ii) It would also be appropriate that Covid-19 warriors like doctors, health
workers, sanitation workers, etc., are invited in the ceremony as a
recognition of their noble service in fight against Covid-19 Pandemic.

Some persons cured from Covid-19 infection may also be invited.

It may be ensured that National Flag s hoisted at att State

Capitals/Districts/ Block/Panchayat levels.

6. As regards holding of “At Home” reception at Raj Bhawan/Raj Niwas by the
Governor/Lt. Governor on the Independence Day, the matter is left to the discretion
of Governors/Lt. Governors. However, in view of Covid-19 pandemic, preventive
measures such as maintaining social distancing, weaning or masks, proper

sanitization, avoiding large congregations, protecting vulnerable groups, etc., and
other measures as prescribed and recommended by the Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare, are followed. It would be appropriate that Covid-19 warriors like doctors,
health workers, sanitation workers, etc., are invited in the ceremony as a recognition
of their noble service in fight against Covid-19 Pandemic. Some persons cured from
Covid-19 infection may also be invited.

Performance of Police/Military bands may be recorded at places of historic

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importance associated with Independence movement; and recorded versions thereof
may be displayed through large screens/digital media, during public functions and on
social media.

Other functions of the day may include activities like planting of trees; inter

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school/inter-college debates on digital platforms; online quiz contests/patriotic essay
writing and poetry competitions
patriotic songs/delivering patriotic talks by selected boys/girls on the social media;
illumination of Government Buildings/State Bhawans, etc; thematic webinars; online
campaign by NSS and NYKS centred around patriotic themes; or any other activity
deemed appropriate by the State Government/Union Territory Administration
befitting the occasion. Other innovative ways of celebrating the lIndependence Day
may be considered like propagating patriotic or national integration messages/songs
through digital and social media platforms, sound shows/lighting of important public
buildings, waving of National Flags by people at rooftops/balconies, etc.

launching of any important scheme, singing

It would be appropriate that the theme of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” is suitably

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spread and publicised amongst the masses through various activities/messages in the
functions and on social media during Independence Day celebrations.