Achievers, martyrs’ kin to be among special guests for I-Day ‘At Home’ events

NEW DELHI: After a conscious effort to transform the Padma Awards into “people’s awards” that honour grassroot-level change-makers, the Centre is now seeking to make Independence-Day ‘At Home’ events hosted by governors and lieutenant governors in the states and UTs, more inclusive. The home ministry has nudged the states to make ‘At Home’ functions more broad-based by inviting a diverse set of people that may include Swachh Bharat volunteers, those who have made exemplary contribution to the society, martyrs’ kin and even references from the states/UTs in the Prime Minister’s ‘Mann ki Baat’ programmes.
Such special invitees shall be in addition to the usual protocol-based invitees and may constitute a major part of the gathering at ‘At Home’ functions in the states/UTs, the home ministry said adding that each special guest may be invited only once, with a fresh list of invitees being generated each year.
In a set of instructions for I-Day 2022 celebrations sent to all state chief secretaries and UT administrators on Monday, the home ministry suggested the inclusion of invitees from “diverse” categories like divyangjans; achievers in different fields; people with exemplary contribution of society, including during the time of Covid; eco-warriors; swacchagrahi (Swacch Bharat Abhiyan volunteers); references from the state/UT in Mann ki Baat; Padma awardees; next-of-kin of martyrs; participants