dated August 16, 1951: Independence Day Cheer:

Independence Day in New Delhi began with homage paid early in the morning to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. President Rajendra Prasad, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and other Cabinet Ministers prayed and laid wreaths at Rajghat. Later, the Prime Minister unfurled the National Flag at the historic Red Fort, lustily cheered by a multitude of over two lakhs. On arrival, the Prime Minister had inspected a guard of honour of 200 men drawn from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Delhi Armed Police, and taken the salute. As the tricolour was unfurled, the parade presented arms, the band played the National anthem, and artillery men fired a 31-gun salute. Mr. Nehru recalled that it was for the fifth consecutive year that he was hoisting Independent India's flag at the Red Fort, counting from the 15th of August 1947. The vast crowd listened intently to the Prime Minister. At his request, they enthusiastically shouted thrice the slogan of ``Jai Hind'' at the end of his emotional speech.

Under the Prime Minister's personal instructions, the Army authorities in charge of the arrangements at the Red Fort, had provided every facility to the populace to witness the ceremony. Though the Capital was in the grip of a hot August day, after the ceremony, many people, men, women and children, walked reverently to pray at Raj Ghat. A large number of public institutions held flag-hoisting ceremonies in different parts of Old and New Delhi. The National Flag flew on Government buildings, in the business quarters, and there was unmistakable gaiety on display in the streets. In the evening, President Rajendra Prasad played host at a reception held on the lawns of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Among the 2,000 guests who attended were King Tribhuvan of Nepal, Prime Minister Nehru and his Cabinet Ministers, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Service chiefs, prominent citizens, and high- ranking officials.

In London, President Rajendra Prasad's ``duty-call address to every son and daughter of India'' was read by all Indians attending the Independence Day celebrations. The day was also celebrated with eclat in other places in Britain which had large communities of Indian origin and connection.

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