New Delhi: This year’s Independence Day celebrations at the iconic Red Fort will be marked by the presence of around 5,000 special guests, drawn from various walks of life across the country, in a grand gesture to honour achievers and contributors to the nation’s progress.

The guests include members of the Indian contingent for the Special Olympics 2025, winners of international sporting events, and gold medalists from the Khelo India Para Games. Farmers who have excelled under several national initiatives, such as the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission, schemes for conservation and sustainable management of medicinal plants, and credit-linked programs like the Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-Negotiable Warehouse Receipts, have also been invited.

Grassroots leaders form a significant part of the invitee list, including best-performing Sarpanches recognised for their efforts in campaigns like Open Defecation Free Plus Villages and the Catch the Rain Abhiyan. Young achievers will also be honoured, from budding authors under the PM YUVA mentorship scheme, to skilled youth trained under PM-VIKAS and outstanding interns of the PM Internship Scheme. Entrepreneurs from the PM Van Dhan Yojana, National SC/ST Hub, and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation are among those being recognised.

The event will also celebrate community-led success stories, with invitations extended to top Self Help Groups under schemes like VISVAS and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. Social welfare beneficiaries, from PM Awaas Yojana (Gramin) recipients to women empowered under the Lakhpati Didi initiative and workers of Mission Shakti, will take part in the celebrations. Anganwadi workers, rehabilitated bonded labourers, rescued women and children, sanitation workers from the Swachhta Campaign, and volunteers from International Yoga Day will also be present.

In addition, innovators from the Innovations for Defence Excellence program, guests from India’s remote border areas identified under the Vibrant Villages initiative, and tribal children from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands will join the gathering.

Adding to the cultural vibrancy, more than 1,500 people from across India, wearing traditional attire representing their respective States and Union Territories, will witness the historic ceremony.

The Red Fort ceremony will follow the traditional schedule, a Guard of Honour for the Prime Minister, unfurling of the National Flag, a 21-Gun Salute, aerial flower showers by Indian Air Force helicopters, and an address to the nation. The celebrations will conclude with the release of tri-colour balloons, symbolising unity, pride, and freedom.

With inputs from ANI