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Moments of joy and pride

NEW DELHI: A tighter and increased multilayered security marked the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort, part of which was decked up with tricolour flowers and the national flag.

While parts of the busy Chandni Chowk market, leading to the main celebration area, were sealed, participants were allowed in only after a four-layer security clearance. Besides the array of security personnel, ambulances, medical staff and fire tenders were ready on call.

Participants in the early morning function also got a glimpse of Delhi’s wide and green roads, which otherwise remain hidden amid a chock-a-block city traffic. Some interesting participants included a group of “sadhus,” who had come all the way from Uttar Pradesh. There were also visitors from Rajasthan, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, making the function a true picture of “unity in diversity.”

Commemorating 60 years of Independence, the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence and martyr Bhagat Singh’s birth centenary, it seemed impossible to escape the sense of national pride. Even so Delhi’s summer heat and probably the early morning drill seemed to have left several children, women and elderly somewhat uncomfortable. Some were even caught napping during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s speech after having enthusiastically participated in the National Anthem. What, however, did not escape attention was the fact that the participating school children applauded the Prime Minister over 20 times during his 45-minute address to the nation. Present at the celebration was a group of freedom fighters. They stood up to say “Jai Hind” with the Prime Minister at the end of his speech.

Tired and anxiety-free after having ensured a safe Independence Day function at the Red Fort, security staff were seen at their benevolent best after the programme.

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