Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (August 15) attended the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation. This was the first time in 10 years that a leader of the opposition attended the Independence Day celebrations, as the post was vacant earlier.

No one held the post of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2024, as no opposition party had the required number of MPs. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was appointed Leader of Opposition on June 25 after the Congress improved its number of MPs in the Lok Sabha elections.

This Independence Day theme 'Developed India' is in line with the government's vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047. The first anniversary of independence was celebrated on August 15, 1948, which marks a full year of independence. Therefore, by 2024, India has completed 77 years of independence.

Happy Independence Day

Rahul Gandhi wished the countrymen on Independence Day. He wrote on Twitter, 'Happy Independence Day to all countrymen. For us, freedom is not just a word. It is our biggest protective shield woven into constitutional and democratic values. It is the power of expression, the ability to speak the truth and hope to fulfill it.'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort on the occasion of 78th Independence Day. He wore a Rajasthani turban and spoke on several key issues, including crimes against women, unrest in Bangladesh and attacks on Hindus, Uniform Civil Code and India's goal of hosting the Olympics in 2036.