The Twitter handles of various Indian government departments and offices have changed their profile pictures to that of the national flag in order to mark the commencement of “Har Ghar Tiranga”, a movement under “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav“, a programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in order to celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day.

PM Modi had first announced the programme in his July 31 address on Mann ki Baat, a radio show hosted by him where he addresses all Indian citizens regarding plans and programmes of the Indian government. In the address, he asked all Indian citizens to change their profile pictures to the tricolour from August 2 to August 15. Listen to a part of the speech here:

Also Read| Bindyarani’s silver win: President Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi ‘share in the joy’

August 2 has been chosen as the day on which Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav commences on account of it being the birthday of Pingli Venkhaiya, the designer of India’s national flag, the Prime Minister went on to explain. Home Minister Amit Shah has also echoed PM Modi’s appeal:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also taken to Twitter, asking Indians to be a part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign:

PM Modi’s previous appeals to the nation

Har Ghar Tiranga is not the first time that Modi has asked Indians to unite for a common cause, with the Prime Minister having used his voice earlier in March 2020 to ask all Indians to impose a Janata curfew, come out to their balconies, and either clap or blow conch shells in order to show their gratitude to frontline workers who were risking their lives during COVID-19 in service of the nation.

In April 2020, the PM once again used his voice to ask Indians to light a lamp for nine minutes at 9:00 PM IST in order to symbolically dispel the metaphoric darkness spread by coronavirus. Here’ a tweet by the PM where he’s seen lighting a lamp:

Notably, Bollywood actors Ajay Devgn and Amitabh Bachchan, former cricketer and BJP MP Gautam Gambhir, former cricketer Yuvraj Singh, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma are some of the notable personalities who have joined the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.