Subdued I-day celebrations across states amid outbreak
NEW DELHI: India celebrated its 74th Independence Day on Saturday amid the coronavirus pandemic with the revelries and crowds missing as state leaders urged people not to fear the disease and called for a mass awareness movement to combat it.
Official celebrations in most states were restricted to unfurling of the national flag and chief ministers and governors addressing the people, with fewer guests in attendance.
Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani called for a mass awareness campaign on the lines of the Quit India Movement to drive the pandemic out of the state and the country. “To achieve independence and drive out the British, the slogan of ‘Quit India’ resonated across the country. As a result, the British left the country and we got freedom. Likewise, let’s start a mass awareness campaign to free the country and Gujarat of coronavirus,” he said.
Due to the pandemic, the function was held in the capital city for the first time in 15 years. As part of a tradition started by former chief minister Narendra Modi, earlier functions were held in district headquarters.
In Kolkata, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee exuded confidence that the country will overcome the challenge posed by coronavirus. Only a few ministers and government officials were present at the event. A song composed by her – ‘Corona chole jabe ek din, COVID joddhader mone rekho’ (coronavirus will be defeated one day, but remember the COVID warriors) – played in the background during the felicitation.
Karnataka chief minister B S
Yediyurappa, who recently recovered from Covid, asked people not to be afraid of the disease.
“I too was infected with coronavirus, and I have fully recovered. I would like to send a message on this occasion that the people need not worry or be afraid of this infection,” he said.
In Uttar Pradesh, CM Yogi Adityanath remembered Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India’s independence.