New Delhi: As part of the festivities commemorating the 77th Independence Day at the iconic Red Fort, approximately 1,800 individuals spanning various professions, accompanied by their partners, have received special invitations from all corners of the nation to be present as honored guests during the Prime Minister's forthcoming address. Among these esteemed invitees stands a distinguished Khadi weaver hailing from Varanasi, which happens to be the Prime Minister's own constituency.
One of these noteworthy attendees is Wahab Ansari, a skilled artisan who meticulously crafts fabric using the traditional Khadi thread. Ansari will journey to Delhi to be part of the momentous occasion and to listen to the Prime Minister's address on Independence Day 2023.
Hailing from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Wahab Ansari's expertise in weaving Khadi fabric has earned him the distinction of being an honored guest at the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi. Bharat Bhushan Babu, the Principal Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, shared this news on Twitter, stating, "Wahab Ansari of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, who weaves cloth with Khadi thread, is a special guest who will come to Delhi and listen to the Prime Minister's speech on the occasion of Independence Day 2023 from the historic ramparts of the Red Fort."
Overflowing with joy, Wahab Ansari expressed his gratitude, saying, "For the past 26 years, I have dedicated myself to weaving at Kalavari Ashram. I extend my heartfelt thanks to PM Modi for extending this invitation to the Independence Day celebration."
The initiative of extending these exclusive invitations aligns with the Government's vision of fostering 'Jan Bhagidari' or people's participation. As per official sources, each State and Union Territory is represented by 75 couples bedecked in their traditional attire, who have also received invitations to grace the ceremony at the Red Fort.
The array of Special Guests attending the celebrations at Red Fort extends to over 400 Sarpanches from more than 660 vibrant villages, 250 participants from the Farmer Producer Organisations scheme, and 50 individuals from both the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.
Furthermore, the guest list encompasses 50 dedicated Shram Yogis (construction workers) from the Central Vista Project, which includes the newly constructed Parliament Building. Also, 50 individuals each from the Khadi sector, those contributing to the construction of border roads, the creation of Amrit Sarovar, and the Har Ghar Jal Yojana, as well as an additional 50 primary school teachers, nurses, and fishermen, have been cordially invited.
As part of their visit to Delhi, some of these Special Guests will have the opportunity to pay their respects at the National War Memorial and have an audience with Raksha Rajya Mantri Ajay Bhatt.
This year's Independence Day festivities mark the culmination of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations, initiated by the Prime Minister on March 12, 2021, at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. These celebrations are set to reinvigorate the nation's resolve to embrace the 'Amrit Kaal' or the era of development with renewed determination, in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aspiration of propelling India into the ranks of developed nations by the year 2047.
The 77th Independence Day also introduces a series of innovative initiatives to enrich the celebratory experience.
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