Independence day celebrations | Teachers, workers and nurses: 1,800 ‘special guests’ at Red Fort

The elite guests include 400 sarpanches of more than 660 ‘vibrant villages’ along the China border in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.

During their stay in Delhi, some of the special guests are scheduled to visit the National War Memorial and call on Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, a Defence Ministry statement said.

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As many as 1,800 “special guests” from different walks of life and their spouses will attend the 77th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort in line with the Government’s Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) movement, the Ministry of Defence said Sunday.

The overall guest list is much higher, with at least 17,000 e-invitation cards having been issued for this year’s celebrations.

The elite guests include 400 sarpanches of more than 660 ‘vibrant villages’ along the China border in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.

The Government has also invited 250 people associated with the Farmer Producer Organisation scheme, besides 50 participants each from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, 50 primary school teachers, 50 nurses and as many fishermen.

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The guest list also comprises 50 ‘Shram Yogis’ (construction workers) involved in the Central Vista Project, which includes the new Parliament building; 50 Khadi workers, and 50 workers each from border road construction, the Amrit Sarovar and the Har Ghar Jal Yojana.

During their stay in Delhi, some of the special guests are scheduled to visit the National War Memorial and call on Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, a Defence Ministry statement said.

Seventy-five couples from each state and Union Territory have also been invited to attend the ceremony in their traditional attire.