The 1.5-km stretch of Janpath from Master Canteen to Ram Mandir Square on the 79th Patha Utsav celebration remained soaked with the spirit of national integration and nationalism as the participants paid their homage to the martyrs of Pulwama terror strike.
The 79th Patha Utsav paid tributes to all brave sons of the nation and also the two slain Odia CRPF Jawans.
Breaking the monotony of the usual performances on stage in front of Ram Mandir, storyteller Prachitara gave a storytelling performance on the youngest martyr of India Baji Rout.
Children paid tributes to Pulwama martyrs by lighting candles at the People’s Cultural Centre (PECUC) space. Later, patriotic songs including “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon” and “Sandeshe Aate Hain” were sung and performed by children. Itishree Dixit and her troupe created a beautiful Rangoli depicting national integration, patriotism and terrorism and how the act of terror is influencing the world in every possible manner.
On the art front, the DP Artlife created a unique collage with messages from the visitors were pasted on a canvas creating a memorial of art like the Rs Rs Amar Jawan Jyoti''.
The Bakul's Library had a special curated section of biographies of bravehearts and stories of their heroics in war. The library on the road also had books that give insights into the operations of terror and its base in Pakistan, and the terror and attack on Mumbai, the chase of Osama Bin Laden etc, the origin of modern terror attacks in Israeli occupied Palestine.
Parents particularly took interest in reading along with the children, particularly the inspirational stories of our bravehearts including Param Vir Chakra winners. Bakul Volunteers also told stories to the children. About 200 children came and read books.
Women in Society Help (WISH) also organised activities for children with subjects mainly based on patriotism and nation-building. Poetry recital was also organised by WISH on the occasion for the martyrs. Many volunteers led by leading social service organisation Helpmate took out a rally. Signature campaigns were also held by several organisations.