<p>Patriotic fervour is palpable at every nook and corner of India as the country celebrates its 75th Independence anniversary today. While the atmosphere is celebratory in India, its South Asian neighbour Afghanistan marks one year under the Taliban rule. The situation is grim in Ecuadoran port city of Guayaquil which witnessed a blast that killed five. In the realm of economy, Japan has seen growth in its GDP in the second quarter.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Click on the headline to read more:</strong></p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-wishes-india-on-its-75th-independence-day-anniversary-calls-it-an-indispensable-partner-506883">Biden wishes India on its 75th Independence day anniversary; calls it an indispensable partner</a></p>

<p><img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="78b033b9-3f6b-4c2c-862f-571860ea96c5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/download%20%283%29_2.jpg" /></p>

<p>US President Joe Biden on Sunday released a statement congratulating India for celebrating its 75th Independence day anniversary. Calling both US and India great democracies and indispensable partners, Biden added that together they could address the challenges around the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blast-in-ecuador-kills-five-officials-blame-criminal-gangs-506905">Blast in Ecuador kills five; officials blame criminal gangs</a></p>

<p><img alt="Ecuador blast" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ee01cb72-8524-468b-b9c3-a178639c6146" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/05a86f8d6afa647401c53aa123ee1305804fdc34.jpg" /></p>

<p>An explosion on&nbsp;Sunday left at least five dead and 16 others injured&nbsp;in the port city of Guayaquil, Ecuador.&nbsp;President Guillermo Lasso proclaimed a state of emergency.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-requests-justice-department-to-return-seized-privileged-documents-506882">Trump 'requests' Justice Department to return seized 'privileged' documents</a></p>

<p><img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bf1a0653-56b9-44b5-bc96-31142f0f38bd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Trump_0.jpg" /></p>

<p>Days after the FBI raid&nbsp;at his&nbsp;Mar-a-Lago club cum residence in Florida, former US President Donald Trump on Sunday claimed that the Justice Department took boxes which were covered under attorney-client or executive privilege and requested them to return the documents.</p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-economy-rebounds-from-covid-sees-growth-in-second-quarter-506920">Japan's economy rebounds from COVID; sees growth in second quarter</a></p>

<p><img alt="Japan's GDP" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5a72c520-3264-49b7-ba94-72454d4c7de0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/GettyImages-636251500-33fdff8be0d04899b0f83f7258e8c0a9.jpg" /></p>

<p>After the government relaxed COVID-19 business restrictions, official data released on Monday revealed that Japan's GDP grew in the three months leading up to June.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Kenya: Toxic dump affects reproductive health of waste pickers</strong></p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kenya-toxic-dump-affects-reproductive-health-of-waste-pickers-506876/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>


Patriotic fervour is palpable at every nook and corner of India as the country celebrates its 75th Independence anniversary today. While the atmosphere is celebratory in India, its South Asian neighbour Afghanistan marks one year under the Taliban rule.

Patriotic fervour is palpable at every nook and corner of India as the country celebrates its 75th Independence anniversary today. While the atmosphere is celebratory in India, its South Asian neighbour Afghanistan marks one year under the Taliban rule. The situation is grim in Ecuadoran port city of Guayaquil which witnessed a blast that killed five. In the realm of economy, Japan has seen growth in its GDP in the second quarter. Click on the headline to read more: Biden wishes India on its 75th Independence day anniversary; calls it an indispensable partner US President Joe Biden on Sunday released a statement congratulating India for celebrating its 75th Independence day anniversary. Calling both US and India great democracies and indispensable partners, Biden added that together they could address the challenges around the world. Blast in Ecuador kills five; officials blame criminal gangs An explosion on Sunday left at least five dead and 16 others injured in the port city of Guayaquil, Ecuador. President Guillermo Lasso proclaimed a state of emergency. Trump 'requests' Justice Department to return seized 'privileged' documents Days after the FBI raid at his Mar-a-Lago club cum residence in Florida, former US President Donald Trump on Sunday claimed that the Justice Department took boxes which were covered under attorney-client or executive privilege and requested them to return the documents. Japan's economy rebounds from COVID; sees growth in second quarter After the government relaxed COVID-19 business restrictions, official data released on Monday revealed that Japan's GDP grew in the three months leading up to June. WATCH | Kenya: Toxic dump affects reproductive health of waste pickers

Morning brief: Biden wishes India on its 75 years of independence, Trump's 'privileged' documents and more

Independence Day: 8 important films on partition that one needs to watch

<p>Mortuary employees, street vendors, Anganwadi workers, and Mudra Scheme loanees will be the special guests during the celebrations of the 75th Independence Day, defence secretary Ajay Kumar announced on Wednesday.</p>

<p>“This year we have invited mortuary workers, street vendors, Anganwadi workers and Mudra Scheme loanees as special guests for the 15th August Independence Day celebrations,” Kumar said.</p>

<p><img alt="Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="33e7bd97-6201-487e-9e79-cf1e4580549d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/FZyLlitaUAEL_3p2022081009264720220810100227.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong><em>Defence secretary Ajay Kumar. Photo credits: ANI&nbsp;</em></strong></p>

<p>Speaking of the special initiative for the 75th Independence Day celebrations, he also disclosed that the ceremonial salute will be fired with indigenously designed and developed Advanced Towed Artillery&nbsp;Gun&nbsp;System (ATAGS)&nbsp;for the first time.</p>

<p>“We are going to use indigenously designed and developed gun for the ceremonial 21 gun salute. We have been using a British one-pound ceremonial gun for the 21-gun salute ever since the Independence. Now, we have developed the ATAGS gun designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and developed by the industry partners and it has been customised for blank firing shell and its sound attributes. This will also be used along with the usual British gun,” Kumar added.</p>

<p>One ATAGS gun will be used in ceremonial gun salutes in addition to British weapons as a sign that India is now able to produce firearms.</p>

<p>The defence secretary also discussed a plan to display India's cultural variety by having National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets from every district of the nation, each dressed in traditional garb, sit in front of the Red Fort in the shape of the map of India.</p>

<p>He also noted in his speech that cadets from 14 nations, including Mauritius, Argentina, Seychelles, UAE, Mozambique, Fiji, USA, UK, Indonesia, Maldives, Nigeria, Brazil, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, have&nbsp;been invited to the Independence Day celebrations ceremony.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Mortuary employees, street vendors, Anganwadi workers, and Mudra Scheme loanees will be the special guests during the celebrations of the 75th Independence Day, defence secretary Ajay Kumar announced on Wednesday.

Mortuary employees, street vendors, Anganwadi workers, and Mudra Scheme loanees will be the special guests during the celebrations of the 75th Independence Day, defence secretary Ajay Kumar announced on Wednesday. “This year we have invited mortuary workers, street vendors, Anganwadi workers and Mudra Scheme loanees as special guests for the 15th August Independence Day celebrations,” Kumar said. Defence secretary Ajay Kumar. Photo credits: ANI Speaking of the special initiative for the 75th Independence Day celebrations, he also disclosed that the ceremonial salute will be fired with indigenously designed and developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) for the first time. “We are going to use indigenously designed and developed gun for the ceremonial 21 gun salute. We have been using a British one-pound ceremonial gun for the 21-gun salute ever since the Independence. Now, we have developed the ATAGS gun designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and developed by the industry partners and it has been customised for blank firing shell and its sound attributes. This will also be used along with the usual British gun,” Kumar added. One ATAGS gun will be used in ceremonial gun salutes in addition to British weapons as a sign that India is now able to produce firearms. The defence secretary also discussed a plan to display India's cultural variety by having National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets from every district of the nation, each dressed in traditional garb, sit in front of the Red Fort in the shape of the map of India. He also noted in his speech that cadets from 14 nations, including Mauritius, Argentina, Seychelles, UAE, Mozambique, Fiji, USA, UK, Indonesia, Maldives, Nigeria, Brazil, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, have been invited to the Independence Day celebrations ceremony. (With inputs from agencies)

Mortuary workers, street vendors to be special guests for 75th Indian Independence Day celebration

India Independence Day: Wishes pour in from around the world

<p>Over twenty members of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are being rewarded with gallantry awards for their bravery during the conflict between the militaries in eastern Ladakh last year. These guards were posted&nbsp;along the India-China LAC.</p>

<p>These bravery medals are part of the 1,380 service medals announced by the Union government on the eve of Independence Day, all awarded to members of various central and state police forces.</p>

<p>The latest awards list includes two President's Police Medals for Gallantry (PPMG), 628 Police Medals for Gallantry (PMG), 88 President's Police Medals for distinguished service, and 662 Police Medals for Meritorious Service.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/india-independence-day-wishes-pour-in-from-around-the-world-405445" hreflang="en">India Independence Day: Wishes pour in from around the world</a></strong></p>

<p>Sub Inspector Amar Deep of the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and late Head Constable Kale Sunil Dattatraya of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are the only two recipients of the President's Police Medal for Gallantry.</p>

<p>Among the highest number of gallantry medals earned, 257 (1 PPMG and 256 PMG) go to the J&amp;K Police, followed by 151 (1 PPMG and 150 PMG) by the Central Reserve Police Force, according to an official home ministry list.</p>

<p>From the 23 gallantry medals awarded to the ITBP, twenty were earned for operations during the May-June 2020 clashes with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Ladakh, where the central paramilitary guards the 3,488-km-long icy Line of Actual Control (LAC) shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/independence-day-events-that-transformed-indias-economy-405369" hreflang="en">Independence Day: Events that transformed India’s economy</a></strong></p>

<p>A force statement said eight personnel received the PMG for their heroic acts, meticulous planning, and tactical insight in defending the motherland in Galwan Nalla on June 15.</p>

<p>Six personnel were decorated with the PMG in recognition of their gallantry during hostilities near Hot Springs in Ladakh on May 18. The remaining six received the PMG for&nbsp;gallant action during a violent face-off&nbsp;near Finger IV on the same day.</p>

<p>Three ITBP personnel have been awarded the PMG for their work in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-independence-day-1380-police-personnel-awarded-medals-announces-mha-405365">India Independence day: 1,380 police personnel awarded medals, announces MHA</a></strong></p>

<p>"This is the highest number of gallantry medals awarded to the force for the bravery of its men in border face offs, skirmishes and border guarding duties," ITBP spokesperson Vivek Kumar Pandey said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Over twenty members of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are being rewarded with gallantry awards for their bravery during the conflict between the militaries in eastern Ladakh last year.

Over twenty members of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are being rewarded with gallantry awards for their bravery during the conflict between the militaries in eastern Ladakh last year. These guards were posted along the India-China LAC. These bravery medals are part of the 1,380 service medals announced by the Union government on the eve of Independence Day, all awarded to members of various central and state police forces. The latest awards list includes two President's Police Medals for Gallantry (PPMG), 628 Police Medals for Gallantry (PMG), 88 President's Police Medals for distinguished service, and 662 Police Medals for Meritorious Service. Also read | India Independence Day: Wishes pour in from around the world Sub Inspector Amar Deep of the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and late Head Constable Kale Sunil Dattatraya of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are the only two recipients of the President's Police Medal for Gallantry. Among the highest number of gallantry medals earned, 257 (1 PPMG and 256 PMG) go to the J&K Police, followed by 151 (1 PPMG and 150 PMG) by the Central Reserve Police Force, according to an official home ministry list. From the 23 gallantry medals awarded to the ITBP, twenty were earned for operations during the May-June 2020 clashes with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Ladakh, where the central paramilitary guards the 3,488-km-long icy Line of Actual Control (LAC) shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army. Also read | Independence Day: Events that transformed India’s economy A force statement said eight personnel received the PMG for their heroic acts, meticulous planning, and tactical insight in defending the motherland in Galwan Nalla on June 15. Six personnel were decorated with the PMG in recognition of their gallantry during hostilities near Hot Springs in Ladakh on May 18. The remaining six received the PMG for gallant action during a violent face-off near Finger IV on the same day. Three ITBP personnel have been awarded the PMG for their work in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh. Also read | India Independence day: 1,380 police personnel awarded medals, announces MHA "This is the highest number of gallantry medals awarded to the force for the bravery of its men in border face offs, skirmishes and border guarding duties," ITBP spokesperson Vivek Kumar Pandey said. (With inputs from agencies)

Independence Day: 20 ITBP troops awarded medals for fighting Chinese PLA in Ladakh

<p>As India celebrated its 75th <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-independence-day-from-humble-beginnings-the-nation-made-strides-in-science-and-technology-405129"><strong>Independence Day</strong></a> on Sunday, several people from across the world played their own version of India's national anthem.</p>

<p>A video of an Iranian girl playing the santoor rendition of the Indian national anthem went viral on social media.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It’s with love from Iran.<br />
<br />
An Iranian girl playing “जन गण मन” our national anthem on santoor!!🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/iDqZKKM9Am">pic.twitter.com/iDqZKKM9Am</a></p>
— Er. Nitin Yadav (@nitinyadavlkw) <a href="https://twitter.com/nitinyadavlkw/status/1426215854258102277?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>In another video, women workers at the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha paid their tribute&nbsp;to India's Tokyo Olympic winners.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On this 75th year of Indian independence, we share the pride of this day with the women workers at the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha and dedicate our tributes to the medal winners of the Tokyo Olympics.<a href="https://twitter.com/films_maya?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@films_maya</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndependenceDay2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndependenceDay2021</a> <a href="https://t.co/v07KPLUNyM">https://t.co/v07KPLUNyM</a></p>
— Puneeth Rajkumar (@PuneethRajkumar) <a href="https://twitter.com/PuneethRajkumar/status/1426762863260037122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>In another heartwarming video, a little girl sings the national anthem released by the ministry of defence. In it, the very "adorable Esther Hnamte" brightens Independence Day celebrations.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This soulful rendition of the National Anthem by the very adorable Esther Hnamte will brighten up the Independence Day celebrations of every Indian!<br />
Watch the original video on "Esther Hnamte Official" <a href="https://t.co/8hLBE8xxHK">https://t.co/8hLBE8xxHK</a> <a href="https://t.co/Bu1HagWRh0">pic.twitter.com/Bu1HagWRh0</a></p>
— PRO Udhampur, Ministry of Defence (@proudhampur) <a href="https://twitter.com/proudhampur/status/1426218763821600770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>An Austrian national Martina Mathur also sang the national anthem as Indians celebrated the great day.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">An Austrian national Martina Mathur, who is wife of Ajay Mathur from Jammu sings Indian National Anthem.<br />
<br />
जय भारत<br />
जय जम्मू <a href="https://t.co/B8Y3wNymbf">pic.twitter.com/B8Y3wNymbf</a></p>
— Dutta Ji |🇮🇳 (@_DuttaJi) <a href="https://twitter.com/_DuttaJi/status/1426807511152087040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;Watch the WION team's Independence Day special video to see all these stunning renditions:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/viral-video-these-stunning-versions-of-indian-national-anthem-are-winning-hearts-405697/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>


As India celebrated its 75th Independence Day on Sunday, several people from across the world played their own version of India's national anthem. A video of an Iranian girl playing the santoor rendition of the Indian national anthem went viral on social media.

As India celebrated its 75th Independence Day on Sunday, several people from across the world played their own version of India's national anthem. A video of an Iranian girl playing the santoor rendition of the Indian national anthem went viral on social media. Watch: It’s with love from Iran. An Iranian girl playing “जन गण मन” our national anthem on santoor!!🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/iDqZKKM9Am — Er. Nitin Yadav (@nitinyadavlkw) August 13, 2021 × In another video, women workers at the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha paid their tribute to India's Tokyo Olympic winners. Watch: On this 75th year of Indian independence, we share the pride of this day with the women workers at the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha and dedicate our tributes to the medal winners of the Tokyo Olympics.@films_maya #IndependenceDay2021 https://t.co/v07KPLUNyM — Puneeth Rajkumar (@PuneethRajkumar) August 15, 2021 × In another heartwarming video, a little girl sings the national anthem released by the ministry of defence. In it, the very "adorable Esther Hnamte" brightens Independence Day celebrations. Watch: This soulful rendition of the National Anthem by the very adorable Esther Hnamte will brighten up the Independence Day celebrations of every Indian! Watch the original video on "Esther Hnamte Official" https://t.co/8hLBE8xxHK pic.twitter.com/Bu1HagWRh0 — PRO Udhampur, Ministry of Defence (@proudhampur) August 13, 2021 × An Austrian national Martina Mathur also sang the national anthem as Indians celebrated the great day. Watch: An Austrian national Martina Mathur, who is wife of Ajay Mathur from Jammu sings Indian National Anthem. जय भारत जय जम्मू pic.twitter.com/B8Y3wNymbf — Dutta Ji |🇮🇳 (@_DuttaJi) August 15, 2021 × Watch the WION team's Independence Day special video to see all these stunning renditions:

India Independence: One national anthem, many expressions - Iranian girl's santoor rendition and other versions of 'Jana Gana Mana' I Watch

India Independence Day: 8 important films on partition that one needs to watch