To make the 75th celebrations of India’s Independence a special event, Padma awardees from the state will be invited to grace the main ceremony along with other dignitaries, including the families of freedom fighters, on this historic occasion.
“This year's Independence Day is special because India is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, and therefore the cultural extravaganza planned for the Independence Day celebrations will be a confluence of cultural, social and geographical diversity of the state,” a government spokesman said here on Saturday.
He said various events were being organised as part of Amrit Mahotsav of Independence.
He said for the first time, the national flag would be hoisted at the newly constructed gram sachivalayas in 58,189 gram panchayats of the state. He said flag hoisting would also take place at 7,500 Amrit Sarovars on August 15 and the district administrations had already started making necessary arrangements for this.
The spokesman said MGNREGA workers would be deployed to take care of Amrit Sarovars.
Besides, in all the 75 districts of the state, two buses would be added to the fleet. These buses will be adorned with patterns resembling the tricolour. As many as 75 buses of the UP State Road Transport Corporation will be named after freedom fighters. In this regard, the preparations of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation are going on in full swing.
Along with Roadways buses, bus stands will also be recognised. Just like the Roadways buses will be named after the freedom fighters, similarly the bus stands will also be named after freedom fighters.
In the series of events to mark the 75 years of Independence, the Amrit Mahotsava Mini Marathon would be organised across the 75 districts of the state, the official said.
One of the highlights of the festival is that 75 people from each section belonging to different cultures and regions will be invited. This will include folk artistes, tribal groups and various communities which will display the diverse culture of Uttar Pradesh in their traditional dress. Seventy-five persons from 75 different groups will depict the richness of the state.
In addition, people representing 16 trades, including Banking Correspondent (BC) Sakhis, factory workers, farmers, Anganwadi workers among others will also be a part of this event.
Based on the theme of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, the event will showcase the rich cultural heritage, traditions and customs of Uttar Pradesh to the people. Presentations on the history and tourist attractions of Uttar Pradesh as well as Yogi Adityanath government’s action plan for the ‘New Uttar Pradesh of New India’ will also be made at the event.
To make the Har Ghar Tiranga programme from August 13 to 15, as part of Independence Week (August 11 to 17) successful in Uttar Pradesh, the state intends to drape a total of 4.76 crore houses and 50 lakh government and non-government offices in tricolour.
On August 15, to mark ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, 75 saplings will be planted in each gram panchayat of the state. Indigenous plants like Banyan, Peepal, Pakad, Neem, Bael, Amla, Mango, Jackfruit, and Drumstick will get preference during the plantation drive.