Srinagar, Tripura, Guwahati: India celebrates its 63rd Independence Day today, and it's time to take stock of what the country has achieved and the challenges that lie ahead.
While there's much that India can and should be proud of, there are still many painful socio-economic contradictions like the rich-poor divide, the caste and communal prejudice, religious intolerance, to name just a few.
Militancy and Naxal violence remain a major cause for worry. And not to forget, this is the first Independence Day after 26/11, the worst terror attack on the Indian soil. With Pakistan stepping up infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir, security forces are not taking any chances.
Security forces in Srinagar are ensuring that the celebrations go off safely.
Going by the recent spurt in infiltration attempts from Pakistan, security has been tightened in and around the Bakhshi Stadium, where the main I-Day celebrations will be held.
"There is militancy in this region and going by the reports which are coming in, we have made all the necessary arrangements," said Kuldeep Khoda, DGP, J&K Police.
Police and paramilitary forces are also on high alert in the northeastern states of Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, where various militant organizations have as usual called for a boycott of Independence Day celebrations.
The Border Security Force has intensified its vigil across the 856 km long India-Bangladesh border.
"We have also coordination with the BSF. Security has been beefed up at the border and ambushes are being held more frequently," said S S Chaturvedi, IGP, Tripura Police.
Security has been stepped up on the national highway, at bus terminals, crowded market places and airports in these sensitive northeastern states.