Banaskantha, Aug. 13 -- Sarpanch Thanabhai Dodia of Jaloya village in Gujarat's Banaskantha district has been invited as a special guest for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations in recognition of his village's contributions during Operation Sindoor, when residents provided machinery and labour to assist the armed forces.

Dodia, whose village lies about 20 kilometres from the India-Pakistan border, will attend the event at Delhi's Red Fort in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Tuesday, he expressed gratitude to both the Gujarat and central governments for the honour.

"I have been invited as a special guest for Independence celebrations to be held on 15th August at Red Fort in Delhi in the presence of Shri Narendra Bh...