Streets come alive with patriotic fervour

Contingent of young girls representing Bharat Scouts and Guides marching past during 65th Republic Day celebration held at Secunderabad Parade Grounds in Hyderabad. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

The Indian tricolour took a prominent place in the city as people came out in large numbers to celebrate the Republic Day on Sunday. Flag hoisting ceremonies and functions were held in the nook and corner bringing in festive environment. The streets in most parts of the city also reverberated with patriotic songs that were played well into the evening.

Colony societies and associations across the city also held various competitions on the eve of Republic Day and distributed prizes as part of the celebrations.

“It’s a festival that has its significance to all Indians and hence we celebrate it with equally religious fervour,” P. Shekhar, a resident of Sainikpuri said.

Flag hoisting and distribution was also taken up in all schools and the government departments to mark the day.

Political campaigns

With general elections across the corner, the occasion of Republic Day celebrations was also used by the politicians in canvassing for their parties.

The day also saw brisk sale of caps, flags and lapel-pins as most citizens sported the Indian flag. The day was also marked by cultural programmes at various avenues.

RVM tableau wins

The tableau of ‘Rajiv Vidya Mission’, highlighting the importance of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan, was adjudged the best tableau and bagged the first prize at the Republic Day celebrations here on Sunday.

The float of the Housing Department secured the second prize while that of the Police Department came third. The consolation prize went to Forest Department’s tableau.

In all, 14 tableaux of displayed achievements of various departments showcased the welfare and development programmes launched by the State government.

Among the marching contingents in the senior category, the first prize went to 1 EME Centre and the runners-up prize was bagged by the Artillery Centre. NCC Boys and NCC Girls bagged the first and second prizes respectively in the junior category. The contingent of the AP Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society got the third prize.

Appreciation trophies were given to the contingents of the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Swayamkrushi and Institute and National Institute of Mentally Handicapped.