It was around 5p.m. of August 13, a sultry afternoon, almost an hour before giving way to dusk. Hot and humid. And then like an elixir came drops from the heavens, a light shower, enough to calm the temperature, and lift the spirits of the 600 police personnel, NCC cadets, forest guards and college students, at the Latasil Playground, in their prized uniform ready to march. Once the Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off their parade, came the resounding thuds of their boots hitting the blacktop asphalt of the city road backed by their respective bands.
It was as if Guwahati has come alive to celebrate “Meri Mati, Mera Desh”, a clarion call to be part of the closing ceremony of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, and the beginning of Amrit Kaal, envisioned by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, in the eventful month of August.
The parade culminated at the War Memorial at Dighalipukhuri after traversing approximately three kilometres enthusing hundreds of onlookers in the process. It started off from Latasil Playground, and then marched via Lamb Road on to Cotton University, and then via Kachari to the War Memorial to lay the foundation of the celebration of 77th Independence Day of the country.
And as dusk gathered on the horizon, it was temporarily delayed by a light and laser show followed by a grand display of fireworks letting out a message to the world.
“For me, this was an experience of a lifetime. Generally, we love to parade but doing it in tandem with the Assam Police was a unique opportunity,” said Anjali Das, a Corporal with the 60th Assam Girls Battalion of the National Cadet Corps, and a Political Science student of Handique Girls’ College in the city, one among the many colleges that participated in the ceremony.
Jumi Kalita, a cadet of the Military Wing of the 60th Assam Girls’ Bn, said that she had been going through the drills for three days leading to the day. “I am honoured to be part of the parade organised to welcome the advent of Amrit Kaal.”
Earlier, talking to the media, the Assam Chief Minister explained the rationale of the ceremony, and exhorted his countrymen to participate with full gusto in the initiative. He also appealed to the people to take part in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and upload their selfie of hoisting the tricolour atop their houses. For the record, more than 10 crore individuals across the country uploaded their selfies on the Har Ghar Tiranga web portal designed for the purpose by the Government of India.
Ratan Rai, an enthusiast, was among those present at Dighalipukhuri on the day. “This is truly a beautiful moment. We were deprived for a long time from enjoying moments like these. Today, being part of the occasion prior to the I-Day celebration of the country is indeed a memorable episode for me.”
Jamil Ali was another enthusiast who came to the venue along with his son. “I made it a point to bring my son to be part of the celebrations. It is important to inculcate love for one’s motherland at a very early age,” he told Asom Barta.
Gyandeep from Sivasagar was also among the viewers. “I came to Guwahati on a personal work. However, being part of this programme today has made me feel proud. I have experienced a parade or fireworks many times, but today was different,” he told this reporter, adding that it made him feel proud being an Indian.
Among those who participated in the parade were representatives from Assam Commando Bn, Assam Police Bn, the sports wing of Assam Police, Assam Forest Guard Force; Assam Police Bn Band, multiple wings of the NCC, and students from all major colleges of the city.
