Purnia, where I-day is celebrated at midnight

Every year on the eve of Independence Day, the residents of Bhatta Bazar in Purnia, around 325 kilometre from Bihar's state capital, remain awake.

This year, at the stroke of midnight around 5,000 people gathered at Jhanda Chowk to unfurl the Tricolour.

After the national flag was hoisted at 12.01 am, the national anthem was sung following which sweets were distributed, crackers were burst and local residents were seen greeting each other.

Purnia is arguably the second place in the country where the national flag is hoisted at midnight on Independence Day.

The other one is at the Wagah border, where midnight celebrations takes place in the intervening night of August 14 and August 15.

“This practice was started by freedom fighter Rameshwar Prasad Singh, 71 years ago, soon after India attained Independence, " said Vipul Singh, grandson of Rameshwar Singh.

" Rameshwar Prasad Singh heard on radio (in the midnight) that India attained Independence. At 12.01 am, he unfurled the national flag at Bhatta Bazar, " he said.

" Since then, this tradition of hoisting the Tricolour at Jhanda Chowk is on,” said Vipul, who unfurled the flag this year.