Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], August 15 : In a show of patriotism and a message of national integration, two men--one from Rajasthan and the other from Gujarat--hoisted the national flag at the historic Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk on Friday, celebrating India's 79th Independence Day.
Rajasthan native Balbeer Singh said that this was the 10th time he had hoisted the Tiranga at the Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk.
"Since 2015, I have been initiating Tiranga Yatra to Lal Chowk. This is the 10th time I have hoisted the Tiranga here. Even though the government started the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign recently, we have been doing this for years. As of now, we have distributed more than 20 lakhs tirangas, and our campaign is still ongoing..."
Gurajat native Arun said, "Every year, I come here to deliver a message of peace and brotherhood. I hope peace and brotherhood will be here because Pakistani terrorists do not want harmony and unity here."
Meanwhile, in his Independence Day address to the nation earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the abrogation of Article 370, saying how the mantra of 'One Nation, One Constitution" was accepted.
"When we brought the mantra of one country, one constitution to life by demolishing the wall of Article 370, when we accepted one nation, one Constitution as the mantra, then we revered Shyama Prasad Mookherjee. There are members of Panchayats from far-flung villages, representatives of Drone Didi, representatives of Lakhpati Didi, people from the world of sports, great people who have given something or the other to the nation and life are present here. In a way, I am seeing a miniature India here in front of my eyes. And today, the Red Fort is also connected with India through technology." PM Modi said.
PM Modi also mentioned that the 125th Jayanti of Shyama Prasad Mookherjee, a former Union Minister and founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This celebration honours his 'lasting impact on India's political, educational, and cultural fabric.'
"Today we are celebrating the 125th Jayanti of Dr Syama Prasad Mookherjee. Dr Syama Prasad Mookherjee is the first person to give his life for India's Constitution. Sacrifice for the Constitution," he said.
Praising how every Indian is carrying the tricolour with them today, PM Modi mentioned, "Over 140 crore Indians are carrying the colours of the tricolour. Har Ghar Tirangana in every corner of the country, whether it is the deserts, Himalayan peaks, the edges of the sea, or densely populated cities. Everywhere there is one song, one slogan, the praises of our motherland are heard," he added.