**Summary:**
On August 15, 2025, the Lokpal of India commemorated the 79th Independence Day with a flag-hoisting ceremony led by Chairperson Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar, in the presence of Lokpal Members Justice Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Justice Sanjay Yadav, Shri Sushil Chandra, Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Shri Pankaj Kumar, and Shri Ajay Tirkey. Chairperson Khanwilkar paid tribute to freedom fighters, including prominent leaders and unsung participants from various segments of society. He acknowledged the contributions of those safeguarding the nation's borders and lauded the resilience displayed in overcoming challenges like natural disasters and global crises. He further recognized nation builders across various professions for their role in developing modern India. Chairperson Khanwilkar emphasized the need to combat internal threats such as terrorism, nepotism, regionalism, misinformation, and corruption, which impede progress and undermine democratic principles. He urged a collective pledge towards building a Viksit Bharat by 2047 through individual actions and determination. This event was publicized by PIB Delhi. Release ID: 2156870
Key Entities Referenced
Lokpal of India: An anti-corruption ombudsman organization in India.
Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar: Chairperson, Lokpal of India.
Lingappa Narayana Swamy: Member, Lokpal of India.
Sanjay Yadav: Member, Lokpal of India.
Sushil Chandra: Member, Lokpal of India.
Ritu Raj Awasthi: Member, Lokpal of India.
Pankaj Kumar: Member, Lokpal of India.
Ajay Tirkey: Member, Lokpal of India.
Mahatma Gandhi: An Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh: An Indian revolutionary socialist.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: An Indian nationalist whose defiant patriotism made him a hero in India.
Lala Lajpat Rai: An Indian independence activist.
Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak: An Indian nationalist, teacher, and an independence activist.
Bipin Chandra Pal: An Indian nationalist, writer, orator, social reformer and Indian independence movement activist.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: First Home Minister of Independent India.
Viksit Bharat 2047: A vision for a developed India by the year 2047.
Lokpal of India
Independence celebration in Lokpal of India
Posted On: 15 AUG 2025 4:59PM by PIB Delhi
th
On the occasion of 79 Independence Day, the National flag was hoisted by Hon’ble Shri Justice Ajay
Manikrao Khanwilkar, Chairperson, Lokpal of India, in the august presence of Hon’ble Members: Shri Justice
Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Shri Justice Sanjay Yadav, Shri Sushil Chandra, Shri Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi,
Shri Pankaj Kumar and Shri Ajay Tirkey. He extended greetings of Independence Day to all Hon’ble
Members, Senior Officers, Staff and Family Members.
He stated that this day is to reckon the valour, vision and sacrifice of all those who were
instrumental in gifting us the freedom that we cherish. We must remember that not just leaders
whose names are chronicled in the history books; but also multitude of people –the farmers,
labourers, students, homemakers and tribal communities who unassumingly participated in the
freedom struggle at the grass-root level and challenged the British Empire. They did so in every
home, village, street where voices of resistance could be heard.
He further stated that all of us are familiar with the life sketch of towering leaders like Mahatma Gandhi,
Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Lala Lajpat Rai, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin
Chandra Pal and the first Home Minister of Independent Bharat, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. We need to and
must bow our heads in gratitude and remembrance before them; and for all those who contributed during the
freedom movement.
He expressed his gratitude to the children of Maa Bharati, who have always stood the ground in protecting our
borders against the enemies; to rising victorious in the face of natural disasters, pandemics and global
challenges. Their swift and effective responses in every challenging moment, have displayed the indomitable
spirit of India.
He exhorted to honour the nation builders, the visionaries, scientists, doctors, engineers, advocates, teachers,
artists, and countless professionals and work force, who have taken forward the torch of development after
independence. Their efforts over the years have laid strong foundation of a modern India. We all are indebted
to their vision, hard work and sincerity. He also underscored the need to take a collective pledge to fight not
just external dangers, but also against those within, who pollute and undermine our national character - such
as terrorism, nepotism, narrow regionalism, spreading mis-information and last but not the least corruption.
These nefarious activities obstruct our progress, peace, and unity and inevitably challenge the democratic
tenets. He underscored that through our collective determination in this regard and everyday individual
actions, we can boast of being significant contributors to the journey of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’.*****
NKR/PSM(Release ID: 2156870)