Societies hoist tricolour, hold cultural events

Streets in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad were decked with tricolour balloons, ribbons and flags on Monday as the country celebrated the 70th Independence Day. Children dressed up as freedom fighters sang patriotic songs and waived the national flag as they participated in cultural programmes in their localities.

Streets in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad were decked with tricolour balloons, ribbons and flags on Monday as the country celebrated the 70th Independence Day. Children dressed up as freedom fighters sang patriotic songs and waived the national flag as they participated in cultural programmes in their localities.

Grand Ajnara Heritage society in Noida Sector 74 held flag hoisting and prize distribution ceremonies. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

Purvanchal Silvercity II in Phase I and II, Greater Noida, celebrated the day with full fervour. Vishal Sharma, president, of the residents’ welfare association (RWA), hoisted the national flag at a colourful ceremony that saw children and senior citizens taking active part in a two-and-a-half-hour cultural programme.

Noida authority CEO Pravir Kumar hoisted the national flag at Indira Gandhi Kala Kendra in Sector 6 on Monday.

Before unfurling the tricolour, the security staff of the society presented a ‘guard of honour.’

At Grand Ajnara Heritage society in Noida Sector 74, residents celebrated the day with cultural programmes and a prize distribution ceremony.

“At 9 am, we hoisted the flag. This was followed by a cultural event presented by children of our society. Later, Vinit Gupta, managing director of Grand Ajnara Heritage, distributed prizes among meritorious students and children who participated in the event,” said Neeraj Rathi, a resident of the society.

In Ghaziabad, residents of Shipra Krishna Vista in Ahinsa Khand, Indirapuram, had a great time as a grand celebration was organised in the society by Hindustan Times.

At Purvanchal Silvercity II in Phase I and II, Greater Noida, RWA president Vishal Sharma hoisted the national flag. This was followed by a colourful programme by children.

The event included a long list of cultural and fun-filled activities for children, their parents as well as senior citizens. Events such as musical chair, races, chocolate-eating competition, lemon and spoon race, fancy dress competition and musical performances enthralled the 400 residents who attended the programme.

“The day started with flag hoisting that was done by the oldest woman of our society, 85-year-old Vedbala Goel. After this, musical and dance performances and games were held at the society. This was followed by lunch and snacks for all at 2pm,” said Arun Rai, president of Shipra Krishna Vista Apartment Owners’ Association (AOA).

Undertaking a noble initiative on the day, the AOA of Amrapali Village apartments in Nyay Khand, Indirapuram, organised a blood donation camp in the locality.

At Shipra Krishna Vista in Ahinsa Khand in Ghaziabad, HT organised a grand celebration.

“With the help of rotary club, we organised the blood donation drive which was supervised by doctors. While more than 150 people registered for it, around 80 were found fit to donate” said Rakesh Kumar, member of Amrapali Village AOA.

“The residents were very proud of donating blood that will can be used for someone in need,” he said.