General Public and School Children not to Participate in Official Ceremony
Port Blair, Aug 13: Every year on 15th August, the Nation celebrates its Independence Day with grandeur, gaiety, fervour and enthusiasm. This year too, the Independence Day will be celebrated in a manner befitting the occasion, however with some extra precaution and measures in view of the COVID-19 situation. In this regard, the Govt. of India has issued guidelines for the conduct of the Independence Day celebrations as per the COVID -19 protocols by ensuring social distancing, wearing of masks, proper sanitisation, avoiding large gatherings, protecting vulnerable persons etc.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands & Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Admiral DK Joshi ,PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) will grace the UT level function at Netaji Stadium, Port Blair and will hoist the National Flag at 9 am after laying wreath at the ‘Martyr’s Column’ at the National Memorial-Cellular Jail. The parade and guard of honour will comprise of the armed contingents of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the A&N Police alongwith their bands. In view of the COVID-19 situations, no public or school children will take part in the ceremony. In a tribute to the Corona Warriors, the ceremony will also be attended by one representative each of COVID-19 warriors namely Doctors, Health Workers, Sanitary workers and one COVID-19 cured person.
The pre-independence day – 2020 address of the Hon’ble Lt. Governor to the residents of A&N Islands will be broadcast /telecast on AIR/Doordarshan as per the below mentioned programme.
- Pre-Independence Day Address of Hon’ble Lt. Governor to the Islanders (14/08/2020)
- 1930 hrs: Address by the Hon’ble Lt. Governor through Doordarshan, Port Blair
- 1945 hrs: Address by the Hon’ble Lt. Governor through All India Radio
Further, as per tradition, the National Flag would be hoisted in district level ceremonial functions in Car Nicobar and in Mayabunder alongwith all Tehsils and inhabited islands of the UT. Celebrations will also be held in Govt. Offices/institutions including schools, dispensaries, Post Offices etc and also in the rural areas by the respective Pradhans of the Gram Panchayats. In view of the COVID-19 protocol not more than 20 persons shall take part in the District Level functions as overall invitees, while at all other places, not more than 10 persons shall be the overall invitees for the function.
The A&N Administration greets all the residents of the A&N Islands on the eve of the 74th Independence Day of the Nation.