Patriotic fervour marked the Independence Day celebrations here on Monday with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee unfurling the Tricolour at Indira Gandhi Sarani.
Banerjee inspected a guard of honour while members of the city, state police and NCC cadets took out a parade. The event also saw colourful performances by folk dance troupes who came from various parts of the state.
On the occasion several police officers were given the 'Chief Minister's Medal' for distinguished service.
Governor K. N. Tripathi paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Barrackpore. He also spun the charkha.
The Border Security Force observed the day at the Petrapole Integrated check post at the Bangladesh border.
Calling for strengthening democracy and building up resistance against communalism, Left Front leaders and activists led by Chairman Biman Bose and CPI-M West Bengal Secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra, formed a human chain in the city.
The Tricolour was also unfurled in the districts and elsewhere in Kolkata while cultural programmes were held in schools, colleges and residential localities.
Elaborate security arrangements, including check posts at strategic locations, were made in and around Kolkata for the day.
After Trinamool Congress came to power in 2011, Banerjee shifted the location of the Independence Day function from Writers' Buildings (the state secretariat) to Indira Gandhi Sarani, also known as Red Road.
She also started the Independence Day parades.
--IANS
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