This I-Day, NDA government has decided to hold a six-day cultural events

Cultural events will start on August 12 and will continue till August 18.

Independence Day celebrations this year are going to be a completely different experience. The NDA government has decided to hold a six-day cultural extravaganza with active participation of the people to celebrate the spirit of patriotism. While the Army, Navy and IAF bands will perform on Rajpath, people will be treated to songs and dances from various parts of the country, and, to add to the fun, sumptuous dishes from across the country will also be on offer.

The day will be celebrated as a national festival that aims to promote a patriotic mood. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the Rajpath cultural event, highly-placed sources said, though it is yet to be confirmed.

They added that for the celebrations — to be held between August 12 and August 18 — 15 states are learnt to have sent proposals to ITDC regarding their participation and to set up their own pavilions to highlight their contribution to the freedom struggle. Also on display will the efforts made by states under the NDA government’s Swachch Bharat Abhiyan.

Top sources said that while every year the defence ministry is in charge of the Independence Day celebrations, this time the tourism ministry is the nodal agency while multiple ministries will be involved in the holding of the event.

Rajpath will be closed to vehicular traffic and open only to pedestrians during this period. Celebrations will also take place between Mansingh Road and Janpath.

The cultural events will start at 5 pm on the first day, August 12, and will continue till August 18. One big stage will be set up, and there will be small stages on the north and south sides of the Rajpath lawns for street singers and dancers from various states to perform. These events will be held between 6 pm and 9 pm daily on the aforementioned dates. In between all this, the annual August 15 speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take place at Red Fort after the unfurling of the national flag.

The PMO had been mulling a proposal to make Independence Day celebrations more people-centric and the cultural extravaganza that is to follow the Red Fort celebrations this year is its outcome.

There will be around 50 food stalls from various states. Special chefs have been called to set up stalls as well, sources added. Handicrafts and handloom items from various states will also be showcased. India Gate and 15 government buildings will be illuminated on the occasion, they added.

The government, sources added, was encouraged by the success of the three-day Bharat Parv it had organised earlier this year at Red Fort to instil a feeling of oneness among people. It was held between January 26 and January 29. Subsequently, the proposal to hold six days of Independence Day celebrations with active public participation was firmed up, they added.