(Image source from: indianexpress.com)

As the coronavirus pandemic is far from being over, Indian government has limited Independence Day celebrations with 250 guests and precautions all over the area.

Independence Day 2020 is approaching and preparations have also been started at the Red Fort despite the pandemic. However, focus for this year will be on safety of all people attending the event.

According to a report as per a leading press, this year’s Independence Day will see police men and other personnel in PPE kits.

Chairs will be placed instead of rugs to maintain social distancing and the guest list would only contain 250 people.

Contrary to earlier norms, school children will not be present at the venue except for National Cadet Corps (NCC).

The guest list would include medical professionals and key persons in the medical field. Every year a minimum of 950 to 1000 people would be present in the venue while Prime Minister addresses the nation. The final guest list of 250 people would be prepared by the Defence ministry.

Apart from ministers, diplomats and other higher authority personnel, every year 1000’s of school children wearing dresses representing the colors of the national flag were also present at the venue. But, this year the gathering would be limited to ensure safety of the attendees.

However, the nature of the event and schedule of programs has not been finalized yet.

Sources say that a lot of the event happenings would be dependent on the COVID-19 situation in the mid August. They say that the list of invitees and whether tea needs to be served to the attendees shall be finalized in the coming days.

Every year the list of invitees would include media persons, political leaders, judges, civilian awardees, freedom fighters and prominent citizens. However, this year’s list of doctors and medical professionals to be invited is yet to be made.

At Red Fort meanwhile, preparations have been started and wooden logs are stacked in a corner to construct special seating areas. Chairs would be placed in the designated areas to ensure social distancing. The fort would be closed for the public starting August 1.

The unusual challenge this year is the workers. Every year about 2000 workers would make the event ready in a short span of time starting August 7. But this year, only 1000 workers could be gathered as many of them left for their villages owing to the pandemic.

Apart from Delhi Police several agencies are involved in the preparation of ground for Independence day every year. Those include Delhi Public Works Department, North Delhi Municipal Corporation and Central Public Works Department.

By Gayatri Yellayi