Chhattisgarh celebrated its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, August 15, with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hoisting the national flag at the Police Parade Ground in Raipur. The state-level ceremony featured a march past by 17 platoons, including contingents from central armed forces, Chhattisgarh Police and other security organisations.

This year's parade included personnel from the BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF and SSB, along with a contingent of Bihar Police. Chhattisgarh Police's male and female contingents, jail police, Nagar Sena, NCC cadets and mounted police also participated.

The dog squad and mounted contingent were among the major attractions of the ceremony.

17 Platoons Join March Past

The parade featured contingents representing various security and police forces.

The participating groups included the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Bihar Police, Chhattisgarh Armed Force male and female contingents and Chhattisgarh Police personnel.

Jail Police, male and female Nagar Sena contingents, NCC boys' and girls' groups, the mounted contingent, dog squad and police band also formed part of the programme.

The parade was commanded by IPS officer Vimal Kumar Pathak, with Nishant Kumar Kurre serving as the second-in-command.

Dog Squad, Horse Show Draw Attention

The trained police dogs demonstrated their specialised skills during the Independence Day programme.

The mounted contingent also participated in the ceremony, adding to the visual display during the march past. A horse show and dog show were scheduled as part of the programme following the main parade.

School students also presented cultural performances after the formal ceremony.

Possible Announcement on Commissionerate System

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai's address was closely watched for a possible announcement concerning the police commissionerate system in Raipur.

There was speculation that the government could announce an expansion of the Raipur commissionerate's jurisdiction to cover the entire district. There was also discussion about potentially introducing the commissionerate system in Durg or Bilaspur.

However, these developments had not been officially confirmed at the time of the report.

The police commissionerate system has been operational in Raipur since January 23, 2026.

Preparations Started in July

Preparations for the Independence Day parade began on July 29, with participating personnel and contingents conducting regular rehearsals.

A final full-dress rehearsal was held on Thursday, replicating the main ceremony planned for August 15. The march past, flag-hoisting procedures, band performance and other activities were rehearsed in detail.

The mounted contingent also conducted practice sessions ahead of the main event.

Officials Inspect Arrangements

Senior police and administrative officials reviewed preparations at the Police Parade Ground ahead of the ceremony.

Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam, ADG Vivekanand Sinha, Police Commissioner Sanjeev Shukla and Raipur Collector Dr Gaurav Singh inspected the venue.

Officials reviewed security arrangements, the parade route, stage preparations, traffic management and other logistical arrangements and issued necessary instructions.

During the full-dress rehearsal, Chief Minister's security officer Harish Tiwari attended as the chief guest, hoisted the national flag and took the salute of the parade.

Bihar Police Joins Parade

The participation of Bihar Police was one of the notable features of this year's Raipur ceremony.

The central forces and state security contingents marched together as part of the 17-platoon formation, highlighting the participation of different security organisations in the state-level Independence Day programme.

A women's bagpiper band also performed during the marching presentation under the leadership of constable Sonbati Thakur.

Tight Security in Raipur

Police deployed additional personnel around the Police Parade Ground and surrounding areas to ensure security during the main Independence Day ceremony.

Arrangements were made to regulate movement and manage crowds, while security teams monitored the venue and access points.

Following the flag hoisting and march past, the programme included the Chief Minister's address, medal ceremony, dog show, horse show and cultural performances by school students.

The Raipur ceremony was the centrepiece of Chhattisgarh's Independence Day celebrations, with the participation of police forces, central armed forces, NCC cadets and other contingents.

India is witnessing a prolonged monsoon break in July for the third time in 11 years, raising concerns over rainfall distribution across several states. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), northwestern, central and southern parts of the country are expected to receive below-normal rainfall over the next six to seven days, while heavy rain is likely to continue across the Northeast, Bihar and parts of West Bengal.

The uneven monsoon pattern has resulted in rainfall deficits in several states, even as floods and landslides continue to disrupt normal life in the northeastern region.

Rainfall Deficit Across States

For the first time this July, Madhya Pradesh has recorded below-normal rainfall. The state has received 241.8 mm of rain so far against the seasonal average of 250.1 mm, registering a 3% deficit.

Uttar Pradesh has recorded a more significant shortfall. Between June 1 and July 13, the state received 161.6 mm of rainfall, compared to the normal 199.7 mm, reflecting a 19% deficit.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan witnessed no rainfall during the past 24 hours, with Sri Ganganagar recording the highest maximum temperature of 41.5°C.

Monsoon Shift Brings Heat and Humidity

Meteorologists said the monsoon trough has shifted towards the Himalayan foothills, allowing dry winds to dominate states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.

Although daytime temperatures in many cities are expected to remain between 32°C and 37°C, high humidity levels are likely to push the heat index or "feels-like" temperature to 45°C or higher, making weather conditions increasingly uncomfortable.

Experts explained that elevated humidity slows the evaporation of sweat, reducing the body's ability to cool itself and increasing heat stress.

Heavy Rain Continues in Northeast

While much of central and northwestern India remains dry, heavy rainfall continues to affect Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Sikkim and West Bengal, leading to floods and landslides.

In Arunachal Pradesh, 15 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel stationed at the Tapa Border Outpost near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) reportedly lost contact after flooding in the Kume River in Kurung Kumey district. Rescue efforts are underway to establish contact with the personnel.

Flood Situation Worsens

In Assam, the Puthi River breached an embankment in Teok, inundating villages, agricultural fields and damaging roads in several areas.

Flood-related disruptions were also reported from Jharkhand, where residents carried a pregnant woman across a flooded river to reach medical care.

In Uttar Pradesh, rising water levels in the Ganga River partially submerged the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Prayagraj, while the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand witnessed a sharp rise following continuous rainfall in the Himalayan region.

IMD Forecast

The IMD has forecast that rainfall activity is likely to remain subdued across northwestern, central and southern India over the coming week. However, the Northeast and eastern states are expected to continue receiving moderate to heavy rainfall.

Authorities have advised residents in flood-prone areas to remain alert, while people in regions experiencing high humidity have been urged to take precautions against heat-related illnesses.

Kolkata’s historic Red Road roared with the energy of 35,000 yoga practitioners on Sunday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined them for the 12th International Day of Yoga. The Prime Minister moved among participants, corrected postures, and performed Tadasana, Ardha Chakrasana, Bhadrasana and Trikonasana as the crowd followed the Common Yoga Protocol.

Modi said yoga has become the world’s largest community movement and is uniting people, nations and cultures. “The entire nation, world, seems connected. This is the power of yoga. Yoga connects everyone, brings everyone together,” he said. He also praised West Bengal for carrying forward yoga through saints like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda and Lahiri Mahasaya, calling collective practice on Bengal’s sacred land a unique spiritual experience.

The theme for this year’s International Day of Yoga is “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”. Modi explained the theme in personal terms: “We should strive to remain as flexible at 40 as we were at 20, stay as energetic at 50 as we were at 30, and look and remain healthy at 70 as we were at 50.” He said the message is not for the elderly only — it applies to people of all ages.

Before the main session, Modi performed Sukshma Vyayam, a yoga warm-up, and during Sheetali Pranayama he gestured to participants to stick out their tongues while practising the breathing technique. He spent time at different locations across the venue, guiding people on how to perform asanas correctly and interacting with them.

The day’s celebrations were spread across India. In Visakhapatnam, Baba Ramdev led an event where young men and women practised yoga on poles and ropes. In Vadodara, women performed aqua yoga in a swimming pool at the Sama Sports Complex. Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel of the 47th Battalion performed yoga on the banks of Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh at an altitude of 13,862 feet.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said yoga is India’s heritage and a gift to the world. “When the world was searching for peace, India gave Lord Buddha, and when the world sought ways to maintain health, Indian sages gifted yoga to humanity,” he said. He urged all Indians to make yoga part of their daily routine.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking after a Mumbai event, highlighted massive participation in West Bengal and said residents of North Mumbai practised yoga on the seashore alongside spiritual leaders. He recalled Modi encouraging him to practise yoga and pranayama during the COVID-19 period and linked good rainfall to better crops, food security and growth.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan extended Yoga Day greetings from Bhopal, saying yoga unites humanity and reflects “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh performed yoga in Shillong. Home Minister Amit Shah practised yoga in Ahmedabad, while Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi also joined celebrations.

June 21 was chosen for International Yoga Day because it is the summer solstice — the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Yogic tradition says on this day Lord Shiva, regarded as the first yogi, began teaching yoga to the Saptarishis. The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated on 21 June 2015 at Rajpath in New Delhi, with 35,985 participants including Modi and representatives from 84 countries; the event set two Guinness World Records.

Why it matters: Yoga Day is now a global ritual that crosses borders, age groups and communities. The Prime Minister’s personal participation and public message — “be 50 at 70” — puts healthy ageing in the spotlight, while the scale of participation signals yoga’s cultural reach in India.