Steeped in patriotism, the national Capital on Friday was immersed in various flavours of Independence Day. It was, however, the Walled City area — the essence of Delhi — that was buzzing with activity from dawn to dusk.
While the first half witnessed the unfurling of the national flag from the historic Red Fort followed by the power-packed maiden speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the celebrations went on till evening in Old Delhi with the area, for the first time, being pedestrianised and cultural events organised. The whole city was humming patriotic songs: From Metro stations and DTC buses to households and shops, everyone played tracks reminiscing the glorious 68 years of India’s independence.
With music wafting through its narrow bylanes and tricoloured kites and balloons dotting the sky, festivity was at its peak in Old Delhi, especially in Chandni Chowk. For the first time, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) celebrated August 15 as a festival, complete with food stalls, face-painting sessions and collaborative artwork for visitors to take part in. The NMC had closed the 1.2 km-long stretch from Gauri Shankar Mandir to Fatehpuri Masjid, making the area free for pedestrians and cyclists. The traditional snacks like kachoris and jalebis were a big hit with visitors. The feeling of patriotism extended to the all the Metro stations and DTC buses, where Saare Jahan Se Achchha and Mile Sur Mera Tumhara replaced routine announcements on the public address system. Commuters of DTC buses also enjoyed free rides from 6 am to 10 am while the Delhi Metro offered free rides to those who went to witness the celebrations at Red Fort.
The week-long I-Day celebrations organised by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) concluded on Friday evening with fireworks, laser shows and musical concerts. Among the events organised to mark August 15, were a human chain formation from India Gate to Connaught Place by 5,500 schoolchildren, flash mob dance by the employees of the civic body, releasing of balloons, lighting up of prominent buildings and installation of 68 floral national flags.
Besides, in an effort to check the nuisance of spitting and littering in areas like Connaught Place and to guide people visiting such localities, NDMC also launched its ‘May I Help You’ force. Starting off with a squad of 50 trained guards, the force will initially patrol parks like lodhi Garden and Talkatora Garden followed by busy market areas like Connaught Place and Khan Market. The first batch of such guards, equipped with walkie-talkies, whistles and trained in first aid and soft skills, was launched here on the occasion of Independence Day.
Meanwhile, the civic agency also handed over 50 kilo fruits to the Forest Department for placing at four sites in the Ridge area with a view to preventing simians from leaving the forested zone to forage for food wreaking havoc in the urban areas.