Photos: India Celebrates 66th Independence Day (PHOTOS)
By Sreeja VN | Aug 15, 2012 09:58 AM EDT
India Wednesday celebrated its 66th Independence Day with gaiety and fervor. The celebrations were held in offices, colleges and schools across the country with cultural programs.
The country's official celebrations were held at the majestic Red Fort in New Delhi amid tight security. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hoisted the national flag and addressed the nation.
Drawing attention to the economic slowdown in the country, Singh said that lower GDP and investment was affecting the internal security.
Indirectly commenting on the opposition to the Foreign Direct Investment in retail and aviation sector, Singh said that "a lack of political consensus on many issues" was hampering the country's economic growth.
Addressing the nation on the eve of the Independence Day on Tuesday, President Pranab Mukherjee stressed on the need to achieve better growth and the need to fight corruption.
Indians across the globe celebrated the Independence Day with gusto and zest. Thousands of Indians holding the tricolor participated in parades in New Jersey, New York and Boston. The celebrations started with a prayer to the victims of the recent attack in a Sikh Gurudwara in Wisconsin, where six worshipers were shot dead by a gunman.
Check out the pictures of the celebrations:
Schoolchildren take part in the Independence Day celebrations in front of the historic Red Fort, where Indian Prime Minister Singh is to address the nation in Delhi
Source: Reuters
Ruling UPA government's fate could be decided by SP, BSP
Source: Reuters
Indian PM Singh addresses the nation from a bullet-proof enclosure at the historic Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations in Delhi
Source: Reuters
Indian PM Singh addresses the nation from a bullet-proof enclosure at the historic Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations in Delhi
Source: Reuters
Schoolchildren dressed in tri-colours of India's national flag offer prayers in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Source: Reuters
A girl gets her eye painted in tri-colours of India's national flag in Chandigarh.
Source: Reuters
Indian soldiers march past the historic Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations in Delhi.
Source: Reuters
Indian soldiers take part in the full-dress rehearsal for India's Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in Delhi
Source: Reuters
A police contingent marches during India's Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar.
Source: Reuters
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Source: Reuters
Members of the women's police contingent smile at a parade during India's Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
Source: Reuters
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressing the nation on the occasion of 66th Independence Day.
Source: PIB India
President Pranab Mukherjee paying homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti (unknown soldier), India Gate, in New Delhi.
Source: PIB India
Tricolour balloons released in the sky after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s address to the nation from the Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 2012.
Source: PIB India
Children in tricolour formation at the Red Fort on the occasion of the 66th Independence Day in Delhi on August 15, 2012.
Source: PIB India
A panoramic view from the minarets of the Red Fort of children in the form of the tricolour.
Source: PIB India
People leave the Red Fort after the Independence Day speech by Prime minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi.
Source: Reuters
