305-metre long tricolour unfurled on GHS Road in Mangaluru

 The students and staff of the Saraswat Education Society celebrated Independence Day in a unique manner and stimulated the feeling of patriotism among the public in the City on early Saturday.

Around 1,000 students of six education institutions of the society – including Ganapathy High School, Ganapathy PU College, Ganapathy English Medium School, Anandashram High School and Parijan PU College – unfurled a 305 metre-long tricolour. Volunteers of Bharath Scouts and Guides, Sevadal, NCC (Air Wing and Naval Wing), NSS and students of Saraswat Education Society also participated in the event, which was named ‘Vande Mataram’.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim handed over the flag to the students, who unfurled the flag, stretching it on Ganapathy High School Road. Loud slogans like ‘Bolo Bharath Mata Ki Jai’, ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘Jai Javan – Jai Kisan’ resounded in the area. The volunteers carried out a parade in front of the flag. Some students were also dressed up like freedom fighter Rani Abbakka, Bhagat Singh, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Subhash Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer A S Ramachandra Rao said, “Ganapathy High School building has completed 100 years. The PU NSS unit has also won national award. On this occasion, a programme has been organised on patriotism, soldiers and pride about the nation. The tricolour was brought from Hyderabad 10 days ago,” and added, “We are not doing this to create any record.”

Earlier, after the flag-hoisting ceremony, the deputy commissioner hailed the innovative efforts of the institution to boost the feelings of patriotism among students. The programme was dedicated in memory of freedom fighters, soldiers, civilians and martyrs who laid down their lives for the safe and secure future of the motherland.