Mamata Unfurls Tricolour, Given Guard of Honour by Police

Kolkata, Aug 15 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today unfurled the national Tricolour on the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day and took salute from a Kolkata Police contingent during a guard of honour.

The Independence Day function on Red Road was marked by display of colourful tableaux themed on several schemes and campaigns of the state government.

Besides the 'Kanyashree', 'Khadya Sathi', 'Sabuj Sathi' and the 'Safe Drive Save Life' campaign, the 'Unity in Diversity' theme was also highlighted in the tableaux.

The flag hoisting by the chief minister was followed by parade by different police wings, including the recently raised 'Winners' women police contingent and personnel of the Odisha Police.

Children from schools in Darjeeling hills, and remote Purulia and Sunderbans presented cultural programmes.

Banerjee's ministerial colleagues and representatives of different consulates in the city were present at the programme.

"Our country must reach the glorious heights that the founding fathers of our Constitution envisioned. Let us cherish the 'idea of India' for which our freedom fighters laid down their lives.

"Our people and our great institutions must strive to remain 'independent', in the true sense of the word," she wrote on Twitter.

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi greeted the people on the occasion of Independence Day and called for building a vibrant and prosperous India. Tripathi, in a message, said, "We will never forget the tremendous sacrifice made by the freedom fighters and this is the occasion to pledge to defend the sovereignty of our land and work for national integrity."

The day was also observed in different parts of the state with unfurling of the Tricolour.

The Governor offered floral tributes at the Gandhi Memorial at Barrackpore in the northern outskirts of the city, and at Gandhi's statue in central Kolkata.

Students and teachers took part in Independence Day programmes at educational institutions across the state, and various clubs distributed sweets among people in localities after flag hoisting.

Meanwhile, a huge national flag, measuring 12,150 sq feet, was also put on display at a city club.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)