The COVID-19 pandemic has cast its shadow over the 74th Independence Day celebrations across the country. Keeping in mind the required precautions, this year many crucial changes have also been made at the venue at Red Fort in Delhi for Saturday's event.

The event will be limited to the presentation of the Guard of Honour to the Prime Minister by the armed forces and the Delhi Police, unfurling of the national flag, accompanied by playing of the national anthem, and firing of a 21-gun salute, a speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and release of tricoloured balloons at the end.

"No presence of schoolchildren would be there this year, only the cadets of the National Cadet Corps would attend the celebrations at the Red Fort," said a senior police officer.

Because of the COVID-19 guidelines and extended precautions this year, only 20 per cent of VVIPs and other participants will be able to witness the speech of Prime Minister Modi live compared to previous years. Till last year, close to 10,000 people used to attend the function to witness the address by the Prime Minister.

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