He salutes tricolour, recites national anthem every day!

For Hira Lal Samanto, 50, saluting the tricolour atop the UP Vidhan Sabha and reciting the national anthem is a daily routine.

He even chants Vande Mataram. And on Sunday, it was no different.

For the last seven years, he has been pedalling all the way from Martin Purwa to the Vidhan Bhawan gate to salute the tricolour before going to a hotel where he works.

“This is a regular drill I follow without fail. I love doing it because it gives me a lot of satisfaction,” said Samanto.

On Sunday, while media persons were covering the Congress’ protest over fuel price hike, Samanto got down from his bicycle to salute the tricolour.

Not many people noticed him till he started reciting the national anthem and chanted ‘Vande Mataram’.

He migrated to Lucknow from West Bengal in 1983. Initially, he took up a job in a hotel near Charbagh and now since 1993, he is working in a hotel at Hazratganj crossing.

“I love our national flag. On Republic Day and Independence Day, I move around the city carrying tricolour. It gives me joy,” he said.

Samanto has a message for youngsters -- pay respect to the tricolour and recite the national anthem daily.

“It is our fundamental duty to pay respect to the tricolour. The joy you get by doing this is priceless,” he said.

I love our national flag. On Republic Day and Independence Day, I move around the city carrying tricolour. It gives me joy. It is our fundamental duty to pay respect to the tricolour. The joy you get by doing this is priceless. HIRA LAL SAMANTO