Despite heat and humidity, the Independence Day here was observed with all pomp and gaiety as thousands of children, youngsters and elders flocked the Brahmapur Stadium to witness 73rd I-Day parade, where the official district level celebration was held.
Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Southern Range) T Aao unfurled the Tri-color and received salute in the parade and addressed the gathering on the occasion.
Aao recalled the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and supreme leaders to bring independence to India. He urged upon the youths and the public to work unitedly for the all -round development of the country.
Aao earlier visited City Hospital, Balashram, Red Cross Blind School at Ambapua and distributed sweets and fruits to inmates to mark the event.
Immediately after Ramadhun march early in the morning, the national flag was hoisted in different educational institutions across the city. On behalf of Department of Forest and Environment “Prakrutibandhu” prize was awarded followed by the awards given to winners in different competitions.
Sub Collector of Brahmapur Sindhe Datatreya Bhaisaheb who is also the president of the National Day Observation Committee successfully coordinated the event. Among others, Brahmpaur SP Pinaki Mishra, former MLA Dr RCC Pattnaik, BeMC Commissioner Chakravarty Singh Rathore, and a band of Government officers and scribes were present. Several contingents comprising hundreds of students and cadets of Junior and Senior division NCC boys and girls, scouts and guide troops in colorful attires and Jawans participated in a march past making the event more memorable.
The 73rd Independence Day was also celebrated by a large number socio-cultural organisations, commercial establishments, Government offices, educational institutions across the silk city and rest of Ganjam district with patriotic fervour. Gandhinagar Sai Complex Auto Services Association, for the first time, celebrated 73rd Independence in front of Sai Complex in which the well known Trade Union leader and advocate Sudhanshu Panda hoisted the national flag. Among other dignitaries, advocate and scribe Prof KC Panda, former BeMC Corporator of Gandhinagar Ranjit Pattnaik and a large number of members of Auto Service Association witnessed the event.
The “Mahan Sangh” well known socio-cultural organization in the city also celebrated the I-Day at Biswaniketan Old Age Home at village Ramachandraur on the outskrits of the city where the Brahmpaur MP Chandrasekhar Sahu hoisted the national flag.
The BJP Mahanagar Unit also celebrated the I-Day at its Gandhinagar office where District BJP president Kanhu Pati hoisted the flag. National flag was also hoisted in a colorful ceremony organised by Ganjam Zilla Vikas Manch. Similarly, I-Day was also celebrated at local BJD office where the local MP Sahu hoisted the national flag. Among others, BJD leaders Dr Bhagaban Gantayat, Dr Pradeep K Panigrahi, local MLA Bikram Panda, Sanghamitra Dalai and Mamata Bisoyi were present.
The I-Day was celebrated at Ganjam Kalaparishad jointly with “Sangati Sangathan” and Khallikote Sanskrutika Parishad. Local MLA Bikram Panda hoisted the tricolor national flag.
The event was also celebrated in Berhampur University, Khallikote Cluster University, Khallikote College, SMIT group of institutions, Government Women’s College, LR Law Collge, DAV Public School, Manav Adhikar Surakshya Manch (MASM), besides by the district headquarters police at Chatrapur.