Independence Day celebrated in schools, madrasas and high-rises of Ghaziabad

Programmes were held at the district headquarters, district police office, tehsils and other offices of the Ghaziabad development authority and municipal corporation. Celebrations were also held at Dasna jail complex, in which hundreds of inmates participated.

Independence Day was celebrated with enthusiasm on Tuesday. The National Flag was hoisted at government offices, schools, colleges and madrasas in the far-flung areas of the district. Residents in high-rises marked the occasion in different ways as it was also the festival of ‘Janamashtmi’.

Celebrations were held at Dasna jail complex. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

Programmes were held at the district headquarters, district police office, tehsils and other offices of the Ghaziabad development authority and municipal corporation. Celebrations were also held at Dasna jail complex, in which hundreds of inmates participated.

“We were preparing for the last one week for this day. The programmes went up to 1pm after flag hoisting and singing of the National Anthem. People are often sceptical about a particular community, but they are those who are not well-versed with the secular fabric and history of our country. It is our country and we celebrate our independence,” Mohammad Mehraj, a 19-year-old student of a madrasa in Dasna, said.

“Our religious books tell us to spread love, not hatred. I don’t find any issue in hoisting the flag or singing the national anthem. Every student and teacher participated in the celebrations,” Zakir Hussain, a student of a madrasa in Dasna said.

Schools in the city and trans-Hindon areas also celebrated the day. Members of the Indirapuram cycling club cycled for 71km on the day. “We cycled in Indirapuram and then went to Delhi to participate in events, including flag hoisting,” said Amit Upadhyay, founder of the club.

Ashiana Upvan society in Indirapuram decided to organise ‘vigyan’ science exhibition and portrayed the ‘best out of waste’ innovations. Around 35 participating students of the society had crafted various scientific innovations such as automatic floor cleaner, pollution catcher, popcorn maker etc.

Children also presented working models of power generation through the wind. Among ‘best out of waste’ innovations were also a table made of newspapers, makeup kit from an egg basket and lamp from a discarded coke can.

“The response from children was tremendous. It is very important that kids develop scientific thinking at a young age. In a country where people still believe in witchcraft and sorcery, developing scientific temperament is of the utmost importance to take our country to the next level. The exhibition also portrayed a special area for display of ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Khadi’ items,” said Rahul Saxena, event organiser.