Jorhat: Along with the rest of the country, the 80th Independence Day was celebrated grandly today at the Jorhat District Sports Association ground in Jorhat district. In this historic program, the Minister of Panchayat and Rural Development, Excise, Implementation of Assam Accord, and Border Protection and Development, Government of Assam, Atul Bora attended as the Chief Guest and paid homage and floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at 8:30 AM.
Following this, at 9:00 AM, at the Jorhat District Sports Association ground, he officially hoisted the National Flag and took the salute after the performance of the song "Vande Mataram." Soon after, the Honorable Minister delivered a special Independence Day speech addressing the gathered public.
In his speech, he paid rich tributes to the great martyrs and freedom fighters of India's freedom movement and remembered their extraordinary contributions and sacrifices with deep reverence. Furthermore, he highlighted the impressive achievements made by India as well as Assam in all fields over the past years, emphasizing India's strong standing as a democratic nation on the global stage, and extended his Independence Day greetings to the people of Jorhat and all citizens of India.
In today's Independence Day program, a total of 16 platoons participated in an impressive march past under the efficient leadership of Parade Commander Sanja Engti Kathar (APS, DSP Border) and Second Parade Commander Manohar Limbu (AB-SI). The parade was followed by a captivating cultural program. In this event, an attractive dance-drama based on the story and background behind the creation of the song "Vande Mataram" was presented under the direction of Pabitra Baruah, Sarat Bapi, Pinku Priyam Bardoloi, and Chayanika Baruah of the Jorhat Theatre Group.
During the prize distribution ceremony organized towards the end of the event, Minister Atul Bora, MLA of Jorhat constituency Hitendra Nath Goswami, District Commissioner of Jorhat Jay Shivani, and Senior Superintendent of Police Subhrajyoti Bora were present and handed over certificates and trophies to the winning platoons.
In the 'Group-A' category of the march past competition, CISF (ONGC Unit) secured the first position, 119 Bn CRPF won second place, and Assam Police Men’s Platoon took third place. Similarly, in the 'Group-B' competition, 9 Assam Bn NCC secured first, Civil Defence Boys Platoon second, and Government Boys NCC came third. Meanwhile, in the school-level 'Group-C' category, Sankardev Seminary School NCC grabbed the top spot, while Sahadev Memorial English School Scouts and Jaya Vidyapeeth Guides managed to secure the second and third positions, respectively.
Additionally, earlier in the morning, food items, fruits, etc., were distributed among the inmates and residents of the District Jail, Mahendra Nagar Open Jail, Observation Home, Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Amrawati Old Age Home, Sarathi Old Age Home, Da-Gaon Orphanage, and Harijan Colony. The entire program was smoothly and successfully anchored with a wonderful presentation by Shri Simanta Sharma, Deputy Controller of the Civil Defence Department, Jorhat.
At the conclusion of the event, after the performance of "Vande Mataram" and the National Anthem "Jana Gana Mana," the 80th Independence Day celebrations came to a successful end. A large number of dignitaries from the district, social workers, heads of various departments, and numerous local citizens attended today's program.
In the afternoon, a friendly football match was held at the Jorhat Stadium between the "District Commissioner XI" and the "District Sports Association XI." Member of Parliament for Kaziranga Lok Sabha Constituency Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, District Commissioner Jay Shivani, Additional District Commissioner Pankaj Bora, District Sports Officer Rahul Sharma, General Secretary of Jorhat District Sports Association (JDSA) Jul Khaund, and Vice-President Chiranjib Bora were present at the event. The District Commissioner XI team emerged victorious in today's exhibition football match.
