80TH INDEPENDECE DAY CELEBRATED WITH GRANDEUR ACROSS BHOJPUR

80^TH INDEPENDECE DAY CELEBRATED WITH GRANDEUR ACROSS BHOJPUR

16-AUG-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------The 80th Independence Day was celebrated with patriotic fervour and grandeur across Bhojpur district on Saturday. District-level and local programmes witnessed enthusiastic participation by officials, elected representatives, police personnel, students and citizens.

At Ramna Maidan in Arrah, the district-level Independence Day ceremony was held in the presence of the District In-charge Minister of Bhojpur, the District Magistrate, the Superintendent of Police, public representatives and media persons. The District In-charge Minister unfurled the national flag. This was followed by a disciplined and impressive march-past by police platoons. The Minister, District Magistrate and SP jointly inspected the parade. Later, participants joined the flag-hoisting programme at the District Collectorate premises and offered floral tributes at the Martyrs’ Memorial, paying homage to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation. Officials also took part in flag-hoisting and related programmes at the Police Office, Arrah, Mahadalit Tola and New Police Centre, Arrah. On this occasion, senior police officers and personnel were felicitated with certificates of appreciation for their outstanding service, dedication and commendable work.

In Bihiya, the national flag was unfurled with dignity at various government and public institutions. Nagar Panchayat Chairman Sachin Kumar Gupta hoisted the flag at the Nagar Panchayat office and extended Independence Day greetings to the residents. At the Block office premises, Pramukh Pratima Devi performed the flag-hoisting. Similar ceremonies were held at Pipra Jagdish Panchayat Bhawan (Mukhiya Subhadra Devi), Kalyanpur Panchayat Bhawan (Bhai Birendra), Tiar Panchayat Bhawan (Mukhiya Dinesh Singh), Kateya Panchayat Bhawan (Mukhiya Shiv Kumar Yadav), Tiar PACS (Rishikesh Ojha), Dharma Pal Singh Smriti Sansthan (Vivek Singh Bablu of Amrai Indane) and at the residence of social worker Phuten Ansari. At Bihiya police station, Station House Officer Sundeshwar Kumar Das unfurled the tricolour and greeted police personnel and those present. He underlined the police’s commitment to security, law and order and appealed to citizens to cooperate in maintaining peace. Among those present were BDO Archana Verma, CO Nilesh Kumar, Executive Officer Shubham Tiwari, SI Bimlesh Kumar and several other officials and public representatives.

In Arrah city, Sambhavna Residential High School (Shanti Smriti, Shubh Narayan Nagar, Majhauwa) and Sambhavna Public School (Sharda Smriti, Maulabagh) organised colourful programmes. Principal Dr. Archana Singh hoisted the national flag at both branches and saluted it. Addressing the gathering, she recalled the long struggle for freedom, including the role of the East India Company, the 1857 uprising, Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent movement and the sacrifices of revolutionaries such as Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Rajguru and Ram Prasad Bismil. Former Principal of Maharaja College, Dr. Gandhi Ji Rai, spoke on the freedom movement and later global agreements. Guest Bhai Brameshwar stressed the need to preserve culture and values, while Managing Director Dr. Kumar Dwijendra urged students to become responsible citizens contributing to national development. NCC cadets presented an impressive parade. Students performed the national anthem, group patriotic songs, dances and speeches in Hindi, English and Sanskrit. The highlight was a dance-drama based on the life of Bhagat Singh, which moved the audience. Class 12 pass-out student Alok Atulya, in his address, critically commented on various government policies and issues including education, judiciary, paper leaks, women’s safety, environment and power. The programme concluded with the national song “Vande Mataram”.

At the Nagar Nigam premises, Mayor Indu Devi unfurled the national flag amid patriotic enthusiasm. The programme began with the collective singing of “Vande Mataram”, followed by the national anthem. Those present saluted the tricolour and reaffirmed their commitment to the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation. Mayor Indu Devi extended Independence Day greetings to the people of Arrah and paid tributes to the freedom fighters. Deputy Mayor Poonam Devi, Municipal Commissioner Anju Kumari, officials, employees and ward councillors of all 45 wards participated in large numbers. The premises resonated with slogans of “Jai Hind” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.

At the Bhojpur District Congress Committee office in Shaheed Bhawan, Arrah, District President Dr. Shridhar Tiwari hoisted the national flag. Senior Congress workers and eminent citizens of the city attended the programme, saluted the tricolour, sang “Jana Gana Mana” and “Vande Mataram”, raised slogans in memory of the martyrs and celebrated the occasion by distributing sweets.

The day reflected the collective spirit of patriotism across official, educational, civic and political platforms in the district.