The secular spirit of the 'Land of five Rivers' did not prevail once the partition happened. Punjab witnessed the worst kind of communal carnage with a million people estimated to have been killed.

On the 78th Independence Day, Rahul Gandhi’s seating arrangement at the Red Fort sparked considerable discussion. The Leader of the Opposition was seen sitting in the second last row alongside Olympic medallists, which caught the attention of social media users. This year marked the first time in a decade that a Leader of the Opposition was present for the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.

Indian movie actors had special messages on their social media handles.

On the 78th Independence Day, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat hoisted the national flag at the RSS Headquarters in Nagpur. In his address, Bhagwat emphasised the responsibility of future generations to safeguard the independence achieved through the sacrifices of countless individuals.

French President Emmanuel Macron extended his congratulations to the people of India on their 78th Independence Day, expressing his eagerness to work closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

World leaders, including Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu, extended warm greetings to India on its 78th Independence Day. They highlighted the enduring friendship and strong bilateral ties with India, expressing hopes for continued cooperation and mutual prosperity.

Speaking at the 78th Independence Day celebration at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, LG Sinha emphasised that the Union Territory administration and security forces are dedicated to stopping any attempts by neighbouring countries to rekindle terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rahul Gandhi, dressed in a white kurta suit, made his presence felt as he joined the ceremony, marking a significant moment in the political landscape.

Speaking from the Red Fort, Modi censured the current legal framework as a "communal civil code" that fosters discrimination and division along religious lines.

Speaking during the 78th Independence Day celebrations after hoisting the Tri-Colour, Sarma stated that indigenous communities have entered a "defensive mode" due to demographic changes, claiming, "We are a minority in 12-13 districts."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that numerous international companies are interested in investing in India and encouraged state governments to vie with one another to entice them. 

The flag hoisted on a 165-foot-tall mast, stands as a tribute to the legacy of freedom fighters and the enduring spirit of India’s struggle for independence.