Sonowal thanks people for successful I-Day

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, August 16: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal thanked the people of Assam for coming out spontaneously to take part in the 70th Independence Day celebrations to the clarion call of the Government despite the boycott calls by several militant outfits.

In a statement here today, Sonowal said the spontaneous manner in which the people of Assam came out to participate actively in the three-day elaborate programmes chalked out by the State Government on the occasion of the 70th Independence Day celebrations despite the boycott calls of militant groups, is a strong indicator that people yearn for peace, harmony and progress. “The 70th Independence Day in Assam passed off successfully due to active participation of the people from Brahmaputra-Barak valleys, hills-plains encompassing the greater Assamese society. I offer my profound thanks to the people of the State for participating in the celebrations completely ignoring the diktats of the militant groups,” he said.

GPC celebrates Day, opens doctor’s chamber

Guwahati Press Club (GPC) celebrated the 70th Independence Day with scribes, senior citizens and members of civil society congregating enthusiastically on the occasion. As senior jourlist Anup Sarma hoisted the Tricolor, Jourlists’ Forum Assam president Rupam Barua spoke of the freedom movements right from the struggle of 1857, followed by the Mahatma Gandhi-led Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience and Quit India movements, Netaji-led I war and vy Mutiny, all of which culmited in 1947 with India emerging as a free tion of immense promise.

In 1998, challenging the terrorist threats, a few jourlists with the support of handful patriotic citizens hoisted the tiol Flag in this Press Club. Since then, the flag hoisting ceremony has become regular events on 15 August and 26 January every year.

“Our country’s independence came about through the supreme sacrifices of countless patriots and martyrs. It is in their honour that we observe Independence Day. It is their contributions we need to remember gratefully when we bow our heads under the Tricolor,” Barua said, adding that it is improper to raise demands or go on protest on such days when other days in the year are available.”

Veteran jourlist Ranen Kumar Goswami then pointed out that these tiol celebrations are for every citizen, and that it is wrong to label these as government organized jamborees.

Later, a doctors’ chamber was opened at the press club premises on the occasion. Iugurated by young citizens Dhiman, Kristi, Shantava, Arya, Shambhavi, Nistha and Aruva, the chamber has been reconstructed by the city-based Dispur Hospitals. A qualified doctor will be available every Saturday evening (5 to 8 pm) for free medical consultation with scribes and their close relatives. “It is a dream comes true for the press club as we have seen jourlists suffering from a host of ailments in the course of heir demanding work. Consultations with doctors will surely guide them about necessary preventive measures to stay healthy and fit,” said GPC secretary va Thakuria.

Dropping in at the press club on a goodwill visit, Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania interacted with scribes and guests, with issues plaguing the city figuring in their freewheeling discussion. Dr Jagadindra Raichaudhury, Col. Ranjan Dutta, Girindra Karji, Pradip Thakuria, Kailash Sarma, Raman Bora, Pramod Kalita, Manoj Agasti, Pulin Kalita, Bipul Sarma, Bikash Singh, yan Pratim Kumar, Rajeev Bhattacharyya, Chinmoi Roy, Kiran Mukherjee, Ravi Ajitacharya, Baldev Pandey, Dilwar Hussain, Ujjal Saikia, Purabi Baruah, Mamata Mishra, Anita Kalita Goswami, Akshyamala Bora, Anjali Kumar, mrata Dutta, Sewali Kalita, Tarali Chakravarty, banita Mazumdar, Azli Kham, Rupen Sarma, Rajiv Bora with many others were present on the occasion.

NFR celebrates Day

Northeast Frontier Railway celebrated the 70th Independence Day of the tion in a befitting manner. The central programme was held at the Maligaon Railway HQ complex, where NF Railway GM Chahatey Ram unfurled the tiol Flag in the presence of a huge gathering of railway officials and their family members. The General Mager also inspected an impressive Guard of Honour given to him by RPF contingents and Bharat Scouts & Guides. The Independence Day was also celebrated in all the five divisions of NF Railway – Tinsukia, Lumding, Rangiya, Alipurduar and Katihar – where the Divisiol Railway Mager unfurled the tiol Flag in presence of divisiol railway officials and their family members.

In his speech General Mager highlighted the need for having Swachchta or cleanliness in railway stations and coaches for better passenger service, an NF Railway release said. He mentioned about the initiatives taken in this regards like fixing of bio-toilets, Clean My Coach app, On Board Housekeeping Service (OBHS) etc., to improve the overall perspective and protection of the environment. He also mentioned that 10 pairs of new trains have been introduced in current year, 22 trains have been augmented by adding additiol coaches and run of 4 pairs of trains extended with provision of additiol stops. Provision of free Wifi services and Reverse Osmosis based purified water at Guwahati station for better passenger amenities & use of apps like Twitter and Facebook to improve accessibility of customers also finds mention in the speech. The General Mager asked all employees and responsible members of the civil society to spare no effort for ensuring growth and well being of Indian Railways and the tion at large.

BSF celebrates I-Day at Patgaon

The 70th Independence Day was celebrated by frontier HQ BSF, Guwahati at Patgaon with great zeal and enthusiasm. The Sector HQ and Battalions under this Frontier also celebrated this auspicious occasion with great pomp and show.

Inspector General of Frontier HQ BSF, Guwahati   SK Srivastava hoisted the Tricolour in the presence of the officers/subordite officers and brave jawans in the BSF campus in Patgaon. Speaking on this occasion, Srivastava congratulated the brave border men and their families, including NDRF personnel. He said that the BSF, which is an elite force of the Union, has been executing all tasks assigned by the government meticulously and to the satisfaction of one and all. Apart from its primary role of guarding the Intertiol borders, the BSF has been deployed for law-and-order duty in BTAD areas of Assam and also in rescue missions during tural calamities, a press release said. The BSF is also contributing towards the social fabric by contributing tremendously through various society-oriented programs like the civic action programs.

ITBP observes Day

70th Independence day was celebrated in a traditiol way with gaiety and fervour by 33rd Bn Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) along with an NGO, Round Table (India) Guwahati at Transit camp Jalukbari and Games Village.

On the occasion RS Chandel, Commandant, took salute of the parade and unfurled the tiol Flag. All the officers and jawans actively participated in the programs organized after the parade. The main attraction of the programme was the small children and ladies of the NGO, Game Village Society and Force Persol who were highly motivated to take part in various entertaining events along with force personnel.

Pooja Chandel, president of Himveer Wives Welfare Association and RS Chandel, 33rd Bn felicitated the winners of different events. He appealed to the personnel and people to take pledge to lay down life for protecting the honour and dignity of the Tricolour.

Programmes mark I-Day celebration by city refinery

The 70th Independence Day was celebrated at Guwahati Refinery with due fervour and enthusiasm, through a series of programmes at the Sector II playground of Guwahati Refinery Township by all employees, their family members and people from greater Noonmati area. Guwahati Refinery’s Executive Director Jogen Barpujari attended the programme as the chief guest.

In his address, Barpujari recalled the contributions and sacrifices made by the freedom fighters and saluted them for giving all a country which has been progressively forging ahead towards full development, a press release said.

Wishing the employees and their family members on the occasion of Independence Day, Barpujari spoke on the role that Indian Oil has been playing in tion building.

“Caring for our customers and stakeholders has always been a strong legacy in Indian Oil, and we have a history of always being in the forefront in times of tiol emergencies, rallying to help victims of tural calamities by maintaining uninterrupted supply of petroleum products, and contributing to relief and rehabilitation measures in cash and kind,” Barpujari said.

Barpujari also congratulated the officers and other employees of Guwahati Refinery for their excellent teamwork which has helped the refinery in achieving fresh achievements and recognitions in the past years.

Barpujari also spoke on the various CSR activities taken up by Guwahati Refinery to uplift the communities in the nearby areas. Dustbins were also handed over to the Swachh Asom Se, a Noonmati-based NGO working in line with Prime Minister rendra Modi’s flagship campaign Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

The Independence Day celebration programme saw a number of vibrant cultural performances with patriotic flavour by school children, children from NGOs Snehalaya, Ashadeep and Shishu mangal Kendra, and employees of Guwahati Refinery. Members of CISF, Home Guards and school children of Guwahati Refinery High School and KV, IOCL also took part in the Independence Day parade.

East Kamrup celebrates I-Day

Our Dimoria correspondent adds: For the first time after its emergence as a district, East Kamrup district observed the 70th Independence Day at Sopur Mini Stadium in a befitting manner. The Tricolour was unfurled by East Kamrup DC Rajendrath Gogoi.

He said that this is a historic day for the district. He received the guard of honour offered by the Assam Police and school children. Over 500 people took part in the function.

South Kamrup observes Day

MIRZA Correspondent adds: South Kamrup DC Rajib Prakash Baruah hoisted the tiol Flag as the first deputy commissioner of the district to have this feat at Chhaygaon in the district. The Day was marked by a number of cultural programmes.

Police, VDP and citizens’ body observe Day

The Jalukbari police and the citizens’ body under it, and the village defence Party (VDP) jointly organized the 70th Independence Day with a three-day programme from August 13. On August 15 Dr. Anda Charan Bhagawati hoisted the tiol Flag at Piyali Phukan Chowk at Maligaon.