Chandigarh, 15 August, 2026:Chandigarh Administration today celebrated the 80th Independence Day with full patriotic fervor at Parade Ground, Sector-17, Chandigarh. The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria was the chief guest on the occasion. Before proceeding to the Parade Ground, the Administrator laid a wreath at the War Memorial, Bougainvillea Garden, in memory of the brave members of the Armed Forces who made the supreme sacrifice for the country.

The celebrations began at the Parade Ground where the Administrator unfurled the National Flag, followed by the National Anthem, and inspected the Guard of Honour. This was followed by a March Past by various contingents of Police, Armed Forces, NCC Cadets and other participating contingents in the Independence Day Parade.

While addressing the Administrator extended greetings to all Indians and especially to the residents of Chandigarh and Punjab. He paid homage to the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters and highlighted the vital and historic role Punjab played in India’s freedom struggle.

Addressing the gathering at Parade Ground, the Administrator emphasized the importance of remembering India’s glorious freedom struggle and strengthening the resolve to build a Developed India. He paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Chandrashekhar Azad and countless known and unknown freedom fighters. He particularly highlighted Punjab’s unparalleled contribution to the freedom struggle and paid homage to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha and the immortal martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh. He also expressed appreciation for the Armed Forces, paramilitary forces, police, fire services and other security personnel serving the nation.

Highlighting Chandigarh’s development journey, the Administrator elaborated on major achievements in infrastructure, law and order, education, healthcare, sports, governance, social welfare and environment. He highlighted the implementation of the new criminal laws through an integrated digital criminal justice system, which has strengthened coordination, transparency and speedy justice. He also spoke about Chandigarh’s achievements in school education, skill and vocational education, sports infrastructure, healthcare services and citizen-centric governance.

The Administrator highlighted Chandigarh’s progress as a cleaner, greener and future-ready city, including expansion of electric public transport, renewable energy, green cover, illuminated cycle tracks and the successful remediation of the Dadu Majra legacy dump site. He also underlined initiatives in heritage protection, digital land records, CBDC-based welfare delivery, grievance redressal, social welfare and disaster management.

Speaking about Punjab, he appreciated the State’s initiatives in women’s empowerment, employment, education, healthcare and welfare. He highlighted the provision of direct benefits to women, creation of government jobs, improved performance of government school students, free healthcare services and the State’s continued efforts against drugs. He also appreciated the achievements of Punjab sportspersons and paid tribute to the State’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.

Highlighting India’s development journey, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh said that the country is moving rapidly towards the resolve of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, with significant progress in infrastructure, healthcare, digital technology, renewable energy, innovation, space, defence and startups. He emphasized that the benefits of development must reach the last person in society and called upon citizens to make development a people’s movement by linking individual duties with national interest.

He urged citizens to work towards building a Chandigarh where environmental protection accompanies progress, human values accompany technology, social justice accompanies prosperity and every citizen enjoys equal opportunities, dignity and security. He expressed confidence that the people and youth of Chandigarh would play a leading role in the journey towards a Developed India.

He also interacted with freedom fighters and their families, and paid his respects to their invaluable contribution to the nation. He subsequently met Veer Naris, war dependents and war-disabled personnel and acknowledged their courage, sacrifice and service to the country.

The Administrator awarded commendation certificates to 37 employees of the Chandigarh Administration and the general public for rendering outstanding services in the field of Public Services, Art and Culture, Social Services, and Sports and also conferred the Administrator’s Police Medal for Distinguished/Meritorious Services to 22 Chandigarh Police Personnel on Independence Day, 2026. One employee from Chandigarh Police was awarded the President Police Medal.

The Chandigarh Police (Female) received the overall Best Contingent Trophy in the parade. The first prize in the category of Best Contingent Trophy -Police went to Chandigarh Police (Female), while Punjab Police (Male) secured the second position.

In the category of Home Guard/Fire Brigade/Civil Defence, Civil Defence bagged the first position and Fire Brigade secured the second position. In the NCC (College) category, NCC Army Wing (Girls) secured the first position, while NCC Air Force (Boys + Girls) came second.

In the category of St. John Ambulance Brigade/Road Safety/Platoon Scouts/Guides, Road Safety secured the first position and Platoon Scouts, GMHS-26, bagged the second position. In the NSS Boys & Girls School category, Shivalik Public School secured the first position, while GGMSSS-18 came second.

In the NSS Girls & Boys College category, NSS, P.G.G.C-11 secured the first position, while NSS, GMSSS-15 (Girls) secured the second position. In the School Band category, Sacred Heart School-26 bagged the first position and GMSSS-10 came second.

In the Cultural Programme category, ‘Naya Bharat–Viksit Bharat’ secured the first position, while the Folk Dance Performance by Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary School, Sector-27, secured the second position.

The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, announced a Holiday on Monday, 17th August in all schools in Chandigarh, Government, Government-Aided and Private.

Shri H. Rajesh Prasad, Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, Dr. Sagar Preet Hooda, DGP, Chandigarh, and other senior officers of the Chandigarh Administration and Chandigarh Police were present during the function.