No garbage, clean washrooms, women’s safety: This Independence Day, what ‘Naya Bharat’ means to citizens
The Red Fort was packed with people from Delhi and beyond, some having travelled from other states to witness the occasion.
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Some NCC cadets were eagerly waiting to interact with the the PM while some posed for group photos with the excitement of witnessing the celebrations for the first time. (Credit: Drishti Jain)
As the national capital celebrated a ‘Naya Bharat’ on the 79th Independence Day, the Tricolour was visible everywhere — fluttering from tea stalls, tied to children’s bicycles and rickshaws, and painted on the cheeks of security guards. The Red Fort was packed with people from Delhi and beyond, some having travelled from other states to witness the occasion.
But for some, this milestone in India’s freedom story held deeper meaning than symbolic celebration.
Sanjay Kumar (51), a civil servant from Haryana’s Bahadurgarh, came with his family to attend the programme for the first time. He said India is still not free from the garbage. “Keeping our surroundings clean is the duty of both the government and the citizens,” he added.
Sanjay Kumar with his family, at the Red Fort, attending the programme for the first time. (Credit: Drishti Jain)
His son Hitesh Birman (20), who is pursuing BTech, wants the education system to be reformed. “I think the National Education Policy, 2020, is still not an answer to the education system the nation currently requires; there is a need to… focus more on vocational training,” he said.
Sitting a few rows ahead in enclosure 10 was a family of seven who had come from West Bengal. Among them was Amit Pal (27), donning a white cap with ‘Naya Bharat’ emblazoned on it, who said he “loves the stamina of Prime Minister Narendra Modi”.
Next to him was his mother, Meera Pal (50), and father, Asit Pal (60).
“I’m happy with the speed of progress in India; it will soon become the top country in the world. I hope the BJP wins this time in West Bengal,” Amit added.
The enthusiasm was equally visible among NCC cadets, dressed in crisp white uniforms and eagerly waiting for a chance to interact with the Prime Minister. While some posed for group photos, others caught up with their teachers and shared the excitement of witnessing the celebrations for the first time.
Khushika Rajpal, 18, volunteering with the NCC for the first time, said, “For me, Naya Bharat means clean and hygienic public washrooms that are accessible to all.”
Cadet Vaishwani Goswami (19) from Faridabad, a second-year NCC member and taekwondo player, said India needs to be self-reliant. “Indian women need to be strong to fight for their rights. They should be their own protectors and know self-defense.”
For Mahadevi (38) from Haryana’s Mahendragarh, women’s safety is a concern. Attending the event with her family, she expressed hope that women feel safe wherever they go — whether alone at night or during the day, no matter the place.
Mahadevi, attending the event with her family, expressed hope that women feel safe wherever they go. (Credit: Drishti Jain)
“It’s been a long time now, and women’s safety should be our priority,” she says.
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