Major Shweta Pandey will assist PM Modi to unfurl national flag

NEWDELHI:A woman army officer will assist Prime Minister Narendra Modi in unfurling the national flag during the 74th Independence Day function at the Red Fort, said a curtain raiser issued by the defence ministry on Friday.

The flag officer, Major Shweta Pandey, is an EME (electronics and mechanical engineers) officer from the army’s 505 base workshop.

Women officers have carried out such roles in the past and even led marching contingents during the Republic Day parade. The unfurling of the flag will synchronise with a 21-gun salute fired by gunners of the 2233 Field Battery (ceremonial), the ministry said. The PM will deliver his address to the nation after unfurling the flag.

Before that, defence minister Rajnath Singh and defence secretary Ajay Kumar will receive the PM at 7.18 am in front of Lahore Gate of Red Fort. The defence secretary will introduce Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, to the PM.

Mishra will then conduct him to the saluting base where a combined inter-services and police guards will present a general salute to the PM who will then inspect the Guard of Honour.

The Guard of Honour contingent for the PM will consist of one officer and 24 men each from the army, navy, air force and Delhi Police, the ministry statement said.

After inspecting the Guard of Honour, the PM will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort where he will be greeted by Rajnath Singh and the top military brass.

The GOC Delhi area will then conduct the PM to the dais on the rampart to unfurl the national flag.

THE UNFURLING OF THE NATIONAL FLAG WILL SYNCHRONISE WITH A 21-GUN SALUTE FIRED BY GUNNERS OF THE 2233 FIELD BATTERY (CEREMONIAL), SAID THE DEFENCE MINISTRY