NEW DELHI, 16 August 2004 — India yesterday celebrated its 58th Independence Day with patriotic fervor, marked by hoisting of the national tricolor and parades by schoolchildren across the country.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the festivities by unfurling the national flag and addressing the nation from the historic Red Fort in the capital.
But the day’s revelry was marred by a militant attack in Assam in which at least 15 people, including seven schoolchildren, were killed.
Fifteen people including children were wounded in another attack when rebels fired a grenade at celebrations marking the Independence Day in Kashmir, police said.
A grieved Manmohan vowed to determinedly fight against terrorist groups.
In his first address to the nation from the Red Fort, he expressed willingness to engage militant groups in talks if they gave up violence.
Reports of festivities poured in from the states.
Thousands of people, including women and children, thronged official celebrations across Orissa, where Maoist outfits, including the People’s War Group, had announced a boycott in some districts.
Patriotic fervor and colorful parades marked the day in Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy led the celebrations by hoisting the national flag at the Parade Ground at Secunderabad.
People also celebrated the occasion by hoisting tricolors on their houses. Neighborhood committees came together to hoist the tricolor. Playing of patriotic songs and distribution of sweets were the other highlights.
In West Bengal, Governor Viren J. Shah hoisted the tricolor at the Gandhi Ghat, a memorial for Mahatma Gandhi, following which he paid floral tributes to Gandhi.
Blood donation camps, sit and draw competitions, quiz programs and sporting activities were also held during the day.
Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony hoisted the flag at a function organized in the central stadium in the state capital, Trivandrum.
In the eastern state of Bihar, Chief Minister Rabri Devi unfurled the national flag. A colorful function was also organized to mark the occasion.
In Delhi, Chief Minister Sheila Dixit hoisted the national flag. She reviewed a colorful parade and addressed a large gathering at the Chatrasaal Stadium in north Delhi.
Tight security arrangements were made for the celebrations, with some 50,000 policemen deployed across the capital to prevent a possible terrorist strike.
At the Congress headquarters at Akbar Road, party president Sonia Gandhi hoisted the tricolor in the presence of Manmohan and central ministers. Hundreds of Congress activists joined the celebrations.
Independence Day celebrations were also organized in several government offices.
Patriotic fervor kept the mood upbeat in colonies across Delhi, with resident welfare associations organizing Independence Day celebrations.
People hoisted the flag on the roofs of their homes and flew kites.
In Tihar jail, after the flag hoisting function, prisoners presented an entertainment program, including song and painting competitions. The prisoners were later served special meals.
— Additional input from IANS
