India celebrates 79th Independence Day - in pictures

  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the Red Fort in New Delhi, as the country marks its 79th Independence Day. EPA
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the Red Fort in New Delhi, as the country marks its 79th Independence Day. EPA
  • West Bengal state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, centre, inspects a guard of honor during Independence Day celebrations in Kolkata. AP
    West Bengal state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, centre, inspects a guard of honor during Independence Day celebrations in Kolkata. AP
  • Police commandos from India's Assam state put on a display during Independence Day celebrations, in Guwahati. AP
    Police commandos from India's Assam state put on a display during Independence Day celebrations, in Guwahati. AP
  • Indian Border Security Force soldiers take part in the beating the retreat ceremony on the eve of Independence Day celebrations, at the Attari-Wagah border post between India and Pakistan, in Punjab state. AFP
    Indian Border Security Force soldiers take part in the beating the retreat ceremony on the eve of Independence Day celebrations, at the Attari-Wagah border post between India and Pakistan, in Punjab state. AFP
  • Indians and Pakistanis gather to watch the beating the retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border. AFP
    Indians and Pakistanis gather to watch the beating the retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border. AFP
  • Indian Border Security Force personnel perform during the beating retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border between Pakistan and India, on the eve of India's Independence Day on July 15. AFP
    Indian Border Security Force personnel perform during the beating retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border between Pakistan and India, on the eve of India's Independence Day on July 15. AFP
  • Indians gather to watch the beating retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border between Pakistan and India, on the eve of Independence Day. AFP
    Indians gather to watch the beating retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border between Pakistan and India, on the eve of Independence Day. AFP
  • India Gate is illuminated with the colours of the national flag, on the eve of Independence Day in New Delhi. AFP
    India Gate is illuminated with the colours of the national flag, on the eve of Independence Day in New Delhi. AFP
  • An Indian schoolgirl eats noodles and her brother carries an Indian flag as they return from school after an Independence Day celebration in New Delhi. AP
    An Indian schoolgirl eats noodles and her brother carries an Indian flag as they return from school after an Independence Day celebration in New Delhi. AP
  • A college student paints her face in the colours of the Indian national flag on the eve of Independence Day in Chennai. AFP
    A college student paints her face in the colours of the Indian national flag on the eve of Independence Day in Chennai. AFP
  • A monkey plays with the Indian national flag placed along a road on the eve of the country's Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi. AFP
    A monkey plays with the Indian national flag placed along a road on the eve of the country's Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi. AFP
  • The Red Fort adorned with colourful flags on the eve of India's Independence Day celebrations in the old quarters of Delhi. AFP
    The Red Fort adorned with colourful flags on the eve of India's Independence Day celebrations in the old quarters of Delhi. AFP
  • Indian schoolchildren carry their national flags on the eve of Independence Day at the Red Fort in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the nation on July 15. AP
    Indian schoolchildren carry their national flags on the eve of Independence Day at the Red Fort in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the nation on July 15. AP