In Pics: India's 66th Independence Day celebrations

“The leaders of our freedom movement, under the stewardship of Mahatma Gandhi, had dreamt of an independent and prosperous India,” the Prime Minister said.

On this day in 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, took the first step towards the realisation of that dream by hoisting India’s tricolour flag at the Red Fort.

“The journey we began on 15 August, 1947 is now 65 years old. We have achieved much in these 65 years,” Singh said.

Here are some pictures of the Indian Independence Day celebration preparation.