Sharma hoists heaviest flag
It took almost six-and-a-half minutes for the National Flag, weighing 18 kg and measuring 54’ by 36’, to be fully hoisted by the Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge), Mahesh Sharma and Rakesh Sharma, Chairman and Board of Directors, of IEMl at Greater Noida on August 15.
The whole area witnessed a festive look and was decorated with tri-colour balloons and flags. The Territorial Army band and young children entertained the audience with patriotic songs.
Mahesh Sharma, as Noida MP as well as Tourism and Culture Minister, said that the twin cities of Greater Noida-Noida had established themselves as a show window of Uttar Pradesh. “India has got a visionary Prime Minister in Narendra Modi who has today given a call for clean, green, and terrorism-free India by 2022. We all have to contribute towards realising this dream. This country, this state, this city belongs to each and every individual and we together should contribute towards its sustainable development,” Sharma shared.
He also informed that Noida would get its own Habitat Centre, which would boost art and culture of the region. The programme concluded with the collective singing of India’s national song, Vande Matram.
Tree-planting drive
Independence Day was celebrated at HSCC with Gyanesh Pandey, CMD, HSCC, hoisting the national flag. While addressing the gathering, he encouraged all the employees to put in a whole-hearted effort to take the company to new height of success. He along with the employees planted trees to mark the occasion and inaugurated the tennis court at the head office.
Freedom from bias
Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot, inaugurated the “Inclusive Independence Day” celebration organised by the National Trust at Niti Marg on the eve of 71st Independence Day.
A largescale outdoor awareness activity took place under the theme “Freedom from Bias.” Around 2,500 people from all walks of life participated in the celebrations along with 500 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The day also had fun cultural activities for all, like yoga, aerobics, wheelchair basketball, judo karate, bocce, nukkad natak, plays and culminated with an inclusive walk.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Gehlot said that his ministry is fully committed to the welfare of Divyangjans. Several new schemes and programmes have been initiated during the past three years. He said that the categories of Divyangjans have been increased from seven to twenty one to cover more Divyangjans. Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishna Pal Gurjar was also present at the occasion. Meenakshi lekhi, Member of Parliament, New Delhi and KK Sharma, Director General, Border Security Force were the guests of honour.
SSB reaches out to jawans
Achana Ramasundaram, officers of the rank of Dy Commandant and above, posted in various sector headquarters, Frontier Headquarters and Force Headquarters, New Delhi, visited BOPs in far-flung areas on Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan Borders, J and K and Naxal affected areas to celebrate 71st Independence Day with jawans deployed there. On this occasion, the DG, SSB, called upon the force personnel to follow the motto of SSB “Service, Security and Brotherhood,” strive for security of the border population and keep the national flag flying high. The national flag was hoisted at all SSB locations for Independence Day.
The idea behind this initiative is to establish direct communication between the officers of headquarters and the jawans posted at remote locations on the borders. SS Deswal, Additional Director General, SSB, hoisted the national flag at BOP lungthung (Sikkim) at an altitude of 12,600 ft and Inspector General (Ops and Int) Ashok Kumar Singh attended Independence Day celebrations with SSB personnel deployed in Srinagar (J and K). Inspector General (Prov) Anil Negi unfurled the national flag in the Naxal-affected Gaya district of Bihar at COB Aamas.
PNB vows change
To commemorate the country’s 71st Independence Day, Sunil Mehta, Managing Director and CEO, Punjab National Bank, hoisted the national flag at Punjab National Bank head office, Bhikhaiji Cama Place, New Delhi in the presence of KV Brahmaji Rao, Dr Ram S Sangapure and Sanjiv Sharan, Executive Directors. Mr Rao administered the national pledge to all present followed by the national anthem.
Addressing the gathering, Mehta recalled the value of true freedom. He mentioned that the banking industry was passing through the most challenging phase and each one of us had to strive hard to retain our lead and contribute in nation-building. He exhorted all members of PNB Parivar to take prompt and right decision in the interest of the bank, the society and the nation.
He also exhorted staff members to work whole-heartedly on “Mission Parivartan” which has been put in action to transform the bank into a more productive, profitable and efficient institution. The acronym “Parivartan” encompasses Profitability, Asset Quality, Recovery, Increased Credit, Vigilant, Alternative Delivery Channels, Retail Business, Turn Around Time, Ambience and New Relationship.
On this occasion, PNB Prerna, an association of PNB Women’s Welfare Association, organised two CSR activities for blind and unprivileged sections of school children. The function ended with the release of tricolour balloons in the air by children.
Stellar performance
The Assam Rifles Karate Team emerged as runners-up among a total of 41 teams, which participated at the recently concluded 13th All India Independence Cup Karate Championship held at Talkatora Stadium New Delhi between August 11 to 13. The team bagged two gold, three silver and three bronze medals in the championship. The prestigious cup was keenly contested by 29 state teams and nine teams from various forces, including services, and three international teams. Rfn RK Jamatia and Rfn Chavan Pavan won gold medals, Rfn Narayan Babu, Rfn Chandan Mochari and Rfn Gadkari Mohan bagged silver medals while Rfn Rakesh Dewan, Rfn Suresh Kumar and Rfn Chavan Dattatray secured bronze medals.