Ahead of Independence Day, West Bengal is set to officially participate in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign for the first time, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announcing the distribution of 70 lakh national flags across the state.
Adhikari said the state government believes in nationalist ideology and follows the principle of “Nation First”.
The 70 lakh flags are being distributed through district, subdivision and block-level administrations. The distribution began on August 5, while the state government has directed all government offices and educational institutions to observe the campaign.
Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal has issued guidelines to the state’s 22 districts, seven municipal corporations, including Kolkata, 46 subdivisions, 343 blocks and 121 municipalities.
As part of the campaign, important government buildings and heritage structures across the state are being illuminated in the colours of the Tricolour. The government has also invited private business establishments to participate in the initiative.
The state government has organised a massive ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Kolkata on August 10. The procession will begin at 3 pm from the foot of the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose statue at Esplanade and proceed towards Gate No. 7 of the Birla Planetarium.
Adhikari said he, along with members of his cabinet and senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, would participate in the rally. He expressed hope that at least 50,000 people would join the 2.5-km procession.
According to sources at Nabanna, the state secretariat, around 30,000 people have already confirmed their participation.
Adhikari also questioned why the previous government had not officially participated in such national initiatives.
“This is the first time we are participating officially. I do not know why the previous government did not take part in this national initiative; you should ask them,” he said, adding that the campaign was not about any particular political party or individual but was intended to “awaken patriotism”.
The Chief Minister also highlighted Bengal’s contribution to the freedom movement, recalling that Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay gave the nation the ‘Vande Mataram’ mantra.
He expressed confidence that Bengal, the land associated with Sri Aurobindo and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, would host the country’s largest Tiranga Yatra.
Meanwhile, the BJP has called for a separate, non-political Tiranga Yatra in Bhabanipur.
The procession is scheduled for Friday, August 7, at 4 pm and will begin at the Alipore Survey Building before proceeding towards Hazra Crossing.
Adhikari appealed to residents of Bhabanipur and surrounding areas to participate, stressing that the event was being organised in his capacity as the local MLA and was not an official government programme.
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