Our Bureau
New Delhi
On the occasion of 76 years of India’s independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged the people of India to participate in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ movement from August 13 to 15 this year. PM Modi said that the Indian flag symbolises the spirit of freedom and national unity and urged the people to upload their photographs with the Tiranga on the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ website.
PM Modi tweeted, “The Tiranga symbolises the spirit of freedom and national unity. Every Indian has an emotional connect with the Tricolour and it inspires us to work harder to further national progress.”
“I urge you all to take part in the Har Ghar Tiranga movement between 13th to 15th August. Upload your photos with the Tiranga here… https://harghartiranga.com,” he added in his tweet.
Army hosts mega event at Nafra
Indian Army organised a grand cultural extravaganza in the run-up to the Independence Day celebrations at Nafra. The mega event organized by a formation of Tezpur-based Gajraj Corps on 11 August at the picturesque town Nafra in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh celebrated the rich tapestry of India’s diverse heritage under the theme of ‘Unity in Diversity’.
“The event was organized to commemorate 76 glorious years of progressive India and its rich history, diverse population, magnificent cultures and great achievements as an outreach program for our citizens residing in this remote locality of the Land of Rising Sun,” Indian Army said in a statement.
Maj Gen Neeraj Shukla presided over the occasion as the Chief Guest. Civil dignitaries from the district administration including Akriti Sagar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Bomdila, LW Bapu, APLS, Addl Deputy Commissioner, Nafra, Sudhanshu Dhama, IPS, SP Bomdila and other esteemed members from the local administration attended the Independence Day celebration.
“The theme of ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat’ was celebrated with a spectacular cultural show which was preceded by paying tribute to our Immortal Heroes,” an army official said.
The mega event mesmerized the massive gathering through the scintillating Bhangra and Gatka (Sikh Martial Arts) performed by the gallant Khalsas. “The martial tunes through bagpipes, drums and immaculate marching by military bands reverberated the air with the patriotism and valour of the Indian Army and the supreme sacrifices of our freedom fighters,” the official added.
The people of Nafra also joined hands and performed the graceful ‘Sajolang Tribal Dance’ performed by the Miji community. Indian Army also set up a number of stalls for the welfare of the local populace like medical camp and an eye care initiative and exhibition by Zeiss India group of renowned ophthalmologists.
The Government of Arunachal Pradesh through district administration also were part of the event through the ‘Sarkar Aapke Dwar’ initiative. A mini marathon organised early morning saw overwhelming participation by not only the youth but also the elderly and women.
Arjun Bijlani, Vishal Mishra compose patriotic song
As Independence Day is around the corner, singer Vishal Mishra dropped a new patriotic song titled ‘Vande Bharatam’. The song’s video features actor Arjun Bijlani.
Sung by Vishal Mishra, the music has been composed by Arko, and the lyrics have been penned by Manoj Muntashir. With the song, the whole team aims to pay a moving tribute to the soldiers out there risking their lives for the country.
The song also pays respect to the mothers of the bravehearts.
Talking more about ‘Vande Bharatam’, Vishal said, “I am very happy to be able to work on a song like Vande Bharatam. This song is my small effort to thank the soldiers and their mothers for the big sacrifice they make for the country.”
Manoj Muntashir also shared his sentiments.
“Being a patriot by heart, I personally love writing something that is about the country or even the soldier. And Vande Bharatam was tapping one of the purest bonds in the setting of an army home, so I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” he said.
Lovesh Nagar has directed the video.
Kashmir’s potter prepares 10,000 oil lamps
In a quaint corner of Jammu and Kashmir, where the rich heritage of pottery has been passed down through generations, a ray of unexpected opportunity has dawned on Mohammad Umar.
This year, Diwali seems to have arrived early for Umar, as his skilled hands meticulously shape clay into 10,000 oil lamps commissioned by the administration for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.
Umar, a skilled potter, beams with pride as he talks about his family’s deep-rooted connection with the art of pottery.
“My family has been molding clay into art for generations, and I have been a part of this tradition since childhood,” he shares with a hint of nostalgia. With the enthusiasm of an artisan dedicated to his craft, Umar describes the surge of delight he experienced upon receiving the monumental order.
“Ahead of Independence Day, we were entrusted with a substantial order for earthen lamps. The sheer magnitude of this order has brought immense joy and prosperity to our family,” he confides, his eyes glinting with satisfaction.
The journey from a modest order of 5,000 oil lamps to an astounding 10,000 has been nothing short of a whirlwind for Umar and his dedicated team. “We have diligently crafted over 8,000 lamps already, and with unwavering determination, we are on track to complete the entire order within the next few days,” Umar proudly declares, his workshop resonating with the rhythmic symphony of creativity and diligence.
Manoj Sinha flags off ‘Tiranga Rally’ in Srinagar
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday flagged off the ‘Tiranga Rally’ from Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) to Botanical Garden on the banks of Dal lake to celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ ahead of Independence Day.
“Today the sky of Jammu and Kashmir shines with the tricolour. I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has filled the hearts of the people of Kashmir with enthusiasm and united them. Today the youth are raising the tricolour in their hands,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
“The spirit of ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ and ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ must unite us as we embark on this noble endeavour,” remarked the Lieutenant Governor, radiating confidence in the unwavering dedication of the people to be part of this monumental celebration.
The Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbagh Singh also took part in the Tiranga rally and said that we are feeling proud.
“We are feeling proud that we were part of the ‘Tiranga Rally’ today. This year’s rally was bigger than last year’s…We want to work together for the peace of the nation. All the necessary security arrangements are being done for Independence Day,” said J-K DGP.
Selfie points installed in Delhi
As the country gets ready to immerse in the 77th Independence Day celebrations this August 15th, the government has already set sights on realising the development goals for the ‘Amrit Kaal’, which started with the completion of 75 years of freedom last year.
As part of the Independence Day celebrations, selfie points have come up across the national capital highlighting different schemes and initiatives of the central government.
Such selfie points have been installed in 12 locations — National War Memorial, India Gate, Vijay Chowk, New Delhi Railway Station, Pragati Maidan, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid Metro Station, Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, Delhi Gate Metro Station, ITO Metro Gate, Naubat Khana, and Sheesh Ganj Gurudwara, officials in the Defence ministry stated in a release.
The schemes and initiatives that are to be showcased at the selfie points include Global Hope: Vaccine and Yoga, Ujjwala Yojana, Space Power, Digital India, Skill India, Start-up India, Swachh Bharat, Sashakt Bharat, Naya Bharat, Powering India, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and Jal Jeevan Mission.
An online selfie contest will also be conducted by the Ministry of Defence on ‘MyGov’ portal from August 15-20, officials said.
Citizens are also being encouraged to take selfies at one or more of the 12 installations and upload them on the portal to take part in the contest. Twelve winners, one from each installation, will be selected on the basis of the online selfie contest and they would be awarded a prize money of Rs 10,000 each.
