Independence Day 2025: When and where to watch PM speech on August 15
It's a time when the old and new moments come together, in order to honour those who led the struggle for independence and to embrace the goals that guide India forward.
India is set to celebrate its 79th Independence Day on Friday, 15 August 2025, commemorating freedom from colonial rule in 1947. As always, the most awaited part of the day is the Prime Minister hoisting the national flag at Delhi's historic Red Fort, followed by his address to the nation, and this year will be special, being Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 12th consecutive address, and his first since securing a third term in office.
The ceremony starts early, with an official speech at around 7:30 am. Events usually begin with a heartfelt greeting from dignitaries, a 21-gun salute, and the stirring strains of 'Jana Gana Mana', often accompanied by a floral shower from circling Indian Air Force helicopters. After hoisting the flag, the Prime Minister speaks about India's progress, its challenges, and future direction, reinforcing the spirit of unity and national pride.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice
Grammarly
Install Now
Undo
Where to watch the ceremony live
On television, people can watch the ceremony live on Doordarshan. And for watching the speech online, streaming via the Press Information Bureau (PIB) YouTube channel, X through @PIB_India, and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) official YouTube channel. Live feeds will also be available on websites like ddnews.gov.in.
What is the theme for
Independence Day 2025
While the official theme for 2025 hasn't yet been announced, expectations point toward themes focusing on unity in diversity, inclusive growth, and national development, around India's vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2047, the centennial of its independence.
What does the celebration look like on Independence Day
The day starts early, with people gathering at schools, government offices, and common parks or open grounds to take part in flag-hoisting events and cultural programs. Meanwhile, the main national celebration takes place at the Red Fort in Delhi, where the Prime Minister arrives and is greeted with respect by dignitaries and military officials.
In schools and colleges across India, Independence Day is celebrated with patriotic songs and student performances. Children dress in tricolor, sing the national anthem, and present skits or dances honoring freedom fighters. It's a proud, festive day that brings students and teachers together in the spirit of patriotism.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Op Sindoor success to feature in I-Day event
NEW DELHI: The success of Operation Sindoor will be hailed at the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort on Friday, three months after Indian forces hit terror and military targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Police personnel during the full dress rehearsal for the 79th Independence Day Parade 2025, at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Wednesday. (ANI PHOTO) A Mi-17 helicopter will troop a flag depicting Operation Sindoor, the invitation cards carry the operation's distinct logo, the view cutter at Gyanpath will showcase the logo, and the floral decoration will be based on the operation, the defence ministry said on Wednesday. 'The invitation cards are also carrying the watermark of Chenab bridge, depicting the rise of 'Naya Bharat,'' the defence ministry said in a statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations at the 79th Independence Day, and address the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort. He is expected to talk about the operation in his speech. 'As the nation is making giant strides towards realising the government's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, the theme of this year's celebrations is Naya Bharat. The celebrations will serve as a platform to commemorate the continuing rise of a prosperous, secure and bold Naya Bharat and provide renewed power to surge further ahead on the path to progress,' the ministry said. The success of Operation Sindoor is being hailed at a time when the government has made it clear that strikes against terror mark a new normal for India. India launched the operation in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike. Between the launch of the operation in the early hours of May 7 and the ceasefire on May 10 evening, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, killing at least 100 terrorists, and the Indian Air Force struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. The operation was recently discussed in Parliament too. Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Gupta and Havildar Surinder Singh designed the logo of Operation Sindoor. The PM will be greeted by defence minister Rajnath Singh, minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth, defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan, army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. The defence secretary will introduce the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar to the PM. The GOC will then conduct the PM to the saluting base where a combined inter-services and Delhi Police guard will present a general salute to Modi, who will inspect the Guard of Honour. Flying Officer Rashika Sharma will assist the PM in hoisting the national flag, the statement said. It will be synchronised with a 21-Gun salute by the gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial). The Air Force band, consisting of one junior commissioned officer and 25 other ranks, will play the national anthem during the hoisting of the flag. For the first time, 11 Agniveer Vayu musicians will be part of the band, it said. 'As soon as the national flag is hoisted by the PM, flower petals will be showered at the venue by two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force --- one trooping the national flag and the other a flag depicting 'Operation Sindoor'.' Around 5,000 special guests will witness the celebrations at Red Fort, including the Indian contingent of Special Olympics 2025, winners of international sports events, gold medallists of Khelo India Para Games, best performing farmers trained and financially assisted under different schemes, best performing sarpanches and best performing students among others. Over 1,500 people from various states and Union Territories dressed in traditional attire have also been invited to witness the ceremony.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Harvard nears $500 million settlement with Trump administration: How the funding deal could impact students
Harvard University is moving closer to a $500 million settlement with the Trump administration, a deal that could restore federal funding and conclude months of political and legal confrontation. The Associated Press reports that both parties have agreed on the payment amount, though negotiations over the broader framework remain underway. A final agreement could be reached in the coming weeks. The proposed deal would end a prolonged dispute that has tested the limits of the federal government's authority over academic institutions. The conflict began with an investigation into campus antisemitism and escalated sharply after the administration cut more than $2.6 billion in research grants, ended federal contracts, and attempted to block Harvard from hosting international students. Harvard responded with lawsuits accusing the administration of unlawful retaliation, asserting that the federal demands posed a threat to academic freedom. If approved, the $500 million payment would mark the largest such settlement reached by the Trump administration with a higher education institution. Comparable deals have included a $200 million payment from Columbia University and a $50 million payment from Brown University to local workforce development organisations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo It remains unclear how Harvard's payment would be allocated. Potential impact on students For students, the settlement could determine the pace and scope of restored academic opportunities. Federal research funding plays a central role in supporting laboratories, scholarships, and faculty-led projects across disciplines. Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, whose positions are often tied to federal grants, have faced uncertainty since the funding cuts took effect. Undergraduate students have also seen disruptions to federally funded internships and international exchange programs. The reinstatement of federal access could stabilise Harvard's capacity to host international students, an integral component of its academic diversity. The Department of Homeland Security's earlier attempt to block such enrollments had created significant disruptions, even though a federal court later overturned the move. Broader academic concerns The settlement talks are being watched closely by lawmakers, faculty, and higher education advocates. According to the Associated Press, more than a dozen Democratic members of Congress who are Harvard alumni warned on August 1 that any agreement could warrant 'rigorous Congressional oversight and inquiry.' They cautioned that yielding to political demands could set a precedent that threatens the autonomy of universities nationwide. The Trump administration has framed its actions as part of a broader effort to reform elite academic institutions, which the president has criticised as aligned with liberal ideologies. Harvard, with its $53 billion endowment, has been the most frequent target of these interventions. Looking ahead While the settlement could bring immediate financial relief and restore program stability, it may also carry new conditions that influence campus governance, curriculum oversight, or student speech. The Associated Press notes that similar agreements with other universities have included provisions that sparked debates over academic freedom. For now, Harvard students await clarity on how quickly programs might be reinstated and whether the funding restoration will come without limitations on the university's independence. The final terms, still under negotiation, will shape both the university's financial future and the student experience for years to come. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Police on toes for tonight's protest & I-Day celebrations
1 2 Kolkata: The city police will deploy close to 5,000 officers to secure the area and ensure smooth movement of citizens between Aug 14 and the afternoon of Aug 15, given the host of activities planned during those 36 hours. This will mean a significant presence of officers, especially at all the "Reclaim The Night" programmes on Aug 14, similar to their presence at the Independence Day celebration events where chief minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to attend the same evening. About 2,000 of the 5,000 cops will guard the main programme zone and its approaches The main deployment will be at the Red Road-Kidderpore Road programme on the morning of Aug 15 when the Tricolour will be unfurled by Banerjee. "With Operation Sindoor held this year, we are not taking any chances with security," said an officer. Kolkata Police commissioner Manoj Verma, while inspecting Red Road on Wednesday, said: "We are ensuring proper and adequate security." You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata "A large police force will be deployed in the Red Road area from the morning. Several senior officers, including a joint commissioner-rank officer, will be present. Each sector will be overseen by an IPS officer and an inspector-rank officer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Police booths will be set up on Red Road and surrounding areas. From the night of Aug 14, important roads will undergo checkpoint inspections. Additional surveillance will be in place at metro stations as well," Verma added. With repeated instances of molestation and harassment of protesters, especially at the last two "Reclaim The Night" protests, Lalbazar has issued a list of dos and don'ts for the various citizens' protests lined up on that day. "Elaborate police arrangements for Thursday and Friday will be made for all planned rallies called by multiple groups, along with the official programmes. We are instructing officers not to indulge in any altercation and to swing into action whenever any complaint from woman protesters reaches them, irrespective of whether it is written. We will also ask local police to keep vigil on main roads at night to ensure protesters face no harassment," said an officer. General security has also been beefed up in the city ahead of Independence Day, senior officers said. "Adequate measures have been taken for the Independence Day programme on Red Road on Friday. All entry and exit points of Kolkata have been kept under surveillance. All units have been briefed on the security plan," said an officer. Vigil has been tightened around Red Road, and traffic will be suspended on the stretch from 10 pm on Friday. "We will have to be on our toes. The stretch has been divided into 20 sectors under the charge of a deputy commissioner-level officer," he added. About 500 CCTV cameras will keep watch on the 2 km radius of the programme, including Park Street, Esplanade, Outram Road, Kidderpore Road, and some port areas. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
