Wednesday, 15 Aug 2007 10:21
India is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its independence from Britain
Security has been tightened around India's famous Taj Mahal ahead of the country's 60th anniversary celebrations.
People throughout India and the wider world are today marking 60 years since independence from Britain.
Authorities have stepped up security as a result, particularly around India's famous white-marble structure.
R K Tiwari, a senior police officer, told the Associated Press news agency: "Security around the Taj Mahal has been tightened as there is specific intelligence information about a terrorist attack on this marvel of marble."
The Taj Mahal is situated in the city of Agra, south-east of the capital New Delhi and is one of the country's most popular tourist spots.
India's prime minister Manmohan Singh began the celebrations as he raised the Indian flag at the famous Red Fort, where the British flag was ceremoniously lowered in 1947.
In comments made by Mr Singh at the ceremony, he called for India to move forward in its battle against poverty.
He was quoted by the BBC as saying: "Sixty years ago we started a new journey. We were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts and views.
"In the true sense we will have freedom and independence only when we get rid of poverty."
Yesterday's celebrations in Pakistan witnessed the ceremonial meeting of the two countries' military to mark the partition of what was previously a British colony.
The two countries became independent at midnight between August 14th and 15th 1947, but conflict between the two began soon after with a war over the region of Kashmir in 1948.