Colorful Independence Day celebrations in Bangalore
News: Deccan Herald
Pics: Daijiworld Media Network

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Bangalore, Aug 15: India’s 62nd Independence Day celebrations here were held amid gaiety and patriotic fervour Friday despite an overcast sky and windy conditions.

About 8,000 people watched as Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa unfurled the tricolour at the Manekshaw Parade Ground in the heart of the city. The flag hoisting was followed by the playing of the national anthem and a colourful march past by central and state security forces.

A Dhruv helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Sarang aerobatic team circled over the ground and showered rose petals while Yeddyruppa was driven around in an open jeep to take the salute from battalions of the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Railway Protection Force (RPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and contingents of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), City Armed Reserves (CAR), Home Guards and Civil Defence Force.

The twin-seater Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), piloted by Squadron Leader Pavan Dhoreliya and co-piloted by Squadron Leader Vikas Singh of IAF, was an instant hit with the gathering, drawing thunderous applause every time the olive-green metal bird flew over.

Accompanied by police and military musical bands, hundreds of boys and girls from the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Bharat Scouts and Guides, and city schools also marched past, drawing admiration from the dignitaries in the VIP enclosure and rounds of applause from the boisterous crowd.

After the chief minister delivered the Independence Day address, the people were treated to a cultural fiesta by about 2,500 boys and girls from government, private and public schools in the city.

Attired in school uniforms or folk dresses, the children kept the audience spell bound for over one hour with their theatrical skills and colourful display of the pre-independence struggle through folk dances and street plays. Patriotic songs were rendered through loudspeakers.

The highlight of the cultural show was the staging of the ‘Revolt of Halagali Warriors’ by students who enacted the role of freedom fighters of Halagali village in Bijapur district of north Karnataka in 1860.

The warriors revolted against the British and refused to surrender their weapons.

It was followed by a song and dance performance to depict India’s unity in diversity and a street play to demonstrate the resilience of the Indian people.

A dare-devil display of adventurous feats by the ‘Thunderbolts’ of the military police on motorcylces in several formations was the climax of the grand fete in the city.

The dare-devilry of ‘Shwet Ashw’ (white horse), a crack unit of the Corps of Military Police, received standing ovation from the public as the smart riders displayed reverse balancing, scissor crossing, parallel crossing, one-leg riding, swimming, ladder climbing, break dance, fire jump and sunbathing on their roaring bikes.