The Centre has pleaded all states to resist large gathering of people while celebrating the Independence Day amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Unlike previous years, the Independence Day events, including the main ceremony at the Red Fort in Delhi, this time will be celebrated under specific preventive measures like maintaining social distancing, wearing of masks, proper sanitisation and avoiding large congregations, as necessitated by the Covid-19 crisis.
The ministry said it would be appropriate that the theme of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a self-reliant India, was suitably spread and publicised through various activities and messages in the functions and on social media during the Independence Day celebrations.
In an advisory, the home ministry said Covid-19 warriors like doctors, health and sanitation workers should be invited in the ceremony as a recognition of their noble service in the fight against the pandemic.
“Therefore, all programmes should be organized in a way that large congregation of people is avoided and technology is used in a best possible manner for celebration befitting the occasion,” the advisory said.
It said some people who recovered from the infection might also be invited.
The events organised could be webcast in order to reach out people at large, who are not able to participate, it said.
