Days ahead of the nation's 77th Independence Day, Indian Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar launched Har Ghar Tiranga 2.0 (the hoisting of the national flag above every home) campaign on Friday by flagging off a bike rally by Members of Parliament in New Delhi.
Various federal ministers including Anurag Thakur, G. Kishan Reddy, Shobha Karandlaje, Piyush Goyal and many others along with several parliamentarians participated in the motorbike rally, flagged from the city's Pragati Maidan area at 8 a.m. (IST).
The rally soon reached the India Gate circle and proceeded around the city square war memorial complex, crossing the Kartavya Path (the ceremonial boulevard) before culminating at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, a field hockey arena.
The campaign was first launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (the Grand Celebration of Independence) to commemorate 75 years of freedom from British rule. Citizens were encouraged to hoist the national flag at their homes from August 13-15 as part of the campaign.
While talking to the media about this year’s campaign, Federal Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said: “Hoisting national flag is duty of every citizen and every citizen should install it at their homes on August 15 and January 26. This year 15 August is special because it marks the conclusion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.”
Meanwhile, Federal Minister G. Kishan Reddy said: “On the coming August 15, the citizens of the country should display the tricolour at their homes. This is the concluding program of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' and everyone should be a part of it.”
As part of this year's campaign, India Post (the country’s postal service) is also selling and promoting the national flag through its network of post offices.