The nation’s 66th Independence Day was celebrated in the city with customary pomp and colour on Wednesday. Impressive parades, medal distribution ceremonies, essay-writing competitions and dance and music presentations marked I-Day celebrations in the city.
Most people on the streets could be spotted with the Tricolour on their cars, buses and bikes, apart from clothes in saffron, white and green. Though rains proved a dampener in some areas, most organisations were able to carry out their celebratory programmes without a hitch.
The Southern Naval Command celebrated the 66th Independence Day in the traditional military style. The celeberations were held in the sheltered aircraft hangar, in view of the damp weather.
Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, reviewed the parade. 16 platoons, including 4 armed platoons, participated in the parade. The President’s Colours, awarded to the Southern Naval Command, were also displayed at the parade, to the accompaniment of a 50-men Guard. The Southern Naval Command band was in attendance. In his address to the personnel after the parade, Vice Admiral Soni paid homage to the freedom fighters of the country and extolled the saga of their valour and sacrifice.
Elaborating upon the challenges faced by a resurgent India, Admiral Soni asked the Navy personnel to never be complacent in their primary role of maritime security and training. Paul Antony, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust, hoisted the national flag at Premachandran Stadium, Willingdon Island, and inspected the parade by CISF personnel. The Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association celebrated I-Day on the Kerala High Court premises. Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur paid homage to the martyrs of the freedom struggle, in her address.
The flag-hoisting ceremony was conducted by the president of the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association, B Gopakumar. The March-past by the Student Police Cadets, patriotic song session by the High Court Staff, and a classical dance performance by Advocates’ Clerks Association were conducted as part of the celebrations.
Various clubs and residents’ welfare associations also conducted a variety of culural programmes across the city, to celebrated Independence Day. A ‘Freedom Ride’, on bicycles, was organised by the Cochin Bikers’ Club, in association with the Regional Sports Club on a 10-km loop, starting at the Kadavanthara Regional Sports Centre. The programme was aimed at propagating the message of ‘Global Cooling’ on the Independence Day. Santigiri Ashram and Vennala Don Bosco Cultural Centre organised a ‘Sangeetharachana’ programme, in connection with Independence Day. Jerry Amaldev led a ‘Sing, India with Jerry Amadev’ show at the Palarivattom Vennala Don Bosco Centre, as part of the programme. The Chavara Cultural Centre held the National Anthem-National Song Competition to mark I-Day. The Deseeya Balathranagam celebrated Independence Day at High Court Junction. P N Prasanna Kumar hoisted the Tricolour at the Malayala Souhrida Vedi Youth Congress’ Independence Day celebrations, held at St Albert’s College.
The Nationalist Congress Party also conducted the flag-hoisting ceremony, after which an anti-terrorism oath was taken. DCC president Rajiv P hoisted the flag at the I-Day celebrations organised by the Indian National Congress. Elamkulam Village Cooperative Society Limited and Cherukida Merchants Association also celebrated I-Day with fervour. Flag hoisting was also held by the Girinagar Welfare Association, Ponevazhi West Residents’ Associations, CBI Road Residents Association, among others.
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