Floods fail to dampen I-Day spirit in Assam

Guwahati: Incessant rain and ensuing floods failed to stop schools in Assam from celebrating the Independence Day on Tuesday.

Although an official notice asking for ceremonial hoisting of the tricolour was not binding on government schools located in disaster-affected areas, various education institutes decided to go ahead and unfurl the flag.

Headmaster Tazem Sikdar carried on the tradition his predecessors had followed during “worse floods” and waded through waist-deep water to unfurl the flag at Naskara Lower Primary School in floodhit Dhubri district, which is infamous for cattle smuggling and illegal immigrants.

“As the headmaster, it was my duty to hoist the flag,” Sikdar said.

The students, who attended the unfurling, received a chocolate bar. Two students who swam about 800 metres to the school were given an extra bar of chocolate .

The school has about 200 students, all Muslims, from Naskara and nearby villages.

In Dhubri district’s Golakganj, headmaster Bipul Chandra Ray organised the I-Day celebration at Paschim Khekshiali LP School on three boats.

“I rowed my own boat to bring some students and their guardians. Two of my friends lent their boats to bring three teachers and other students. Some parents were reluctant, but 38 students attended,” Ray told HT.

Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the teachers of flood-affected schools for going out of their way to mark an important day. “Big salute to these bravehearts, including teachers and students, who defeated adversity to celebrate I-Day,” he said.