Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his first visit to Varanasi after securing a third term, highlighted farmers, youth, women, and the poor as the “four pillars of a developed India.” These groups prominently feature among the over 4,000 special guests invited to the Independence Day celebrations by the Centre.
Each special guest, invited along with a family member, will attend the event at Red Fort. The invitees are categorized into 11 groups, with 1,000 guests from the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare category, 600 from Youth Affairs, and 300 from Women and Child Development.
Other categories include Panchayati Raj and Rural Development (300 each), Tribal Affairs (350), School Education and Literacy, Border Roads Organisation/Ministry of Defence (200 each), and Health and Family Welfare and Sports (150 each). Additionally, 1,200 special guests are from the Niti Aayog category.
Invitations are sent by relevant departments through the Ministry of Defence. Among the invitees are 150 elected women representatives and their families, 400 NSS volunteers from the Meri Maati Mera Desh scheme, 100 beneficiaries of the MyBharat scheme, and students from PM Shri schools.
The guest list also includes 150 students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools, 100 tribal artisans, Van Dhan Vikas Yojana members, and 50 tribal entrepreneurs. All guests will arrive in Delhi on August 14, with plans to visit the National War Memorial and meet senior ministers during their stay. The overall guest count for the 78th Independence Day celebrations is expected to exceed 18,000, with e-invitations issued.
