GUWAHATI: In a first, India is to celebrate the 73rd Independence day without the usual crowd that throngs the Red Fort.
As per ANI's report, for the first time in its 73 years of independence, Red Fort will be witnessing only 20 percent of the VVIPs and other participants compared to the previous years.
1,500 people, all of whom are corona winners, that is people who have recovered from the dreaded disease, are to attend the celebrations. No regular visitors are to be allowed.
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Of the 1,500 winners, 500 are to be local police personnel and the rest 1,000 are to be invited from the different states.
Given the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country and the immensely affected national capital due to the pandemic, the PM will be delivering the live independence day speech in front of just 20 percent of the VVIPs, unlike the usual 900 that occupy the rampart.
The Independence Day Celebration reportedly sees a crowd of around 10,000 people. While no school children are allowed to participate this year, only cadets of National Cadets Corps are to attend the occasion.
Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary and Director General of ASI took stock of the arrangements at Red Fort as preparations are under way keeping social distancing as priority.
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