14 August :The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will unfurl the National Flag on the ramparts of the Red Fort tomorrow to celebrate the 62nd Independence Day. After unfurling the Tricolor, Dr Manmohan Singh will address the Nation.
On arrival at Lahore Gate of Red Fort, the Prime Minister will be received by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony and the Minister of State for Defence Shri M M Pallam Raju, Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh and Defence Secretary Shri Vijay Singh.
The Defence Secretary will introduce General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, Major General KJS Oberoi to the Prime Minister. The GOC Delhi Area will then conduct the Prime Minister to the Saluting Base where a combined inter-services and police guard will present general salute to the Prime Minister. Thereafter, Dr Manmohan Singh will inspect the guard of honour.
The Guard of Honour contingent for the Prime Minister will consist of one officer and 24 men each from Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police. This year, Army being the coordinating agency, the Guard of Honour will be commanded by Lt. Col Kapil Rana. The Army Contingent will be commanded by Major Dava Sherpa, Naval Contingent by Lt. Cdr. Sukharan Singh and Air Force Contingent by Sq. Ldr. Chiranjiv Singh.
The Army Contingent for PM’s Guard is from 6th Battalion of the Assam Regiment. This battalion was raised on April 01, 1964 at the Assam Regimental in Happy Valley, Shillong. During 1971 Operations, the unit had the singular honour and proud privilege of accepting the surrender of the entire Nator Garrison of the Pakistan Army. More than 5500 officer and other ranks of the garrison along with a huge quantity of arms and ammunitions laid down their arms to the battalion. The battalion is also the proud recipient of the GOC-in-C (Northern Command) ‘Unit Appreciation for performance of an exceptional order while conducting Counter terrorism operations during 2003-06. For the perseverance, grit and devotion to duty the battalion has also been awarded with three Shaurya Chakra, nine Sena Medal, one Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, three Vishisht Seva Medal, 73 Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card, 15 Vice Chief Commendation Card and 16 GOC-in-C Commendation Card. The Battalion is presently the ceremonial battalion of the Indian Army, deployed in Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate and other importance places in the capital.
After inspecting the Guard of Honour, the Prime Minister will proceed to the ramparts where he will be greeted by the Defence Minister, the Minister of State for Defence, Minister of State for Defence Production, Chief of Army Staff Gen Deepak Kapoor, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major.
The GOC, Delhi area will conduct the Prime Minister to the dais to unfurl the National Flag.
The unfurling of the tri-colour will synchronize with the 21 gun salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 299 Field Regiment. The battery will be commanded by Lt. Col. Manu Mohan and the Gun Position Officer will be Subedar Maha Singh. The National Flag Guard comprising 32 men and one officer each from Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police. They will present Rashtriya salute to the National Flag. Each contingent comprises 32 men and one officer. The Naval Contingent will be commanded by Lt. Cdr. K K Aravind, the Army contingent by Capt. Rajinder Negi and the Air Force contingent by Sq. Ldr. Rahul Chand.
The Army contingent for National Flag Guard is from the 20th battalion of the Sikh Regiment. Also known as ‘Towering Twenty’, the battalion was raised on 1st March, 1976. The battalion has the unique distinction of being the first regular infantry unit to have served twice on the Siachen Glacier, the highest battle field of the world. The unit has been awarded with one Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, three Shaurya Chakra, 14 Sena Medal, 4 Mention in Dispatches and a host of Commendation Cards. The Guard of Honour will be positioned directly in front of the National Flag across the moat below the rampart.
The Air Force Band will play the National Anthem when the National Flag Guard presents the Rashtriya Salute as the Prime Minister unfurls the National Flag. The band will be conducted by Junior Warrant Officer Alfred.
After unfurling the National Flag, the Prime Minister will address the nation. After the Prime Minister’s address, school children and NCC Cadets will sing the National Anthem.
About One thousand Junior Division Cadets of the National Cadet Corps from Delhi Directorate comprising Army, Navy, Air Force and Girls wings are participating in the Flag Hoisting Ceremony this year. The cadets will also participate in the singing of patriotic songs.