BA was perhaps the only block that hoisted the Tricolour at the stroke of midnight. Despite the odd hour about 150 residents gathered near Utsarga, their community hall, to watch cultural programmes and the flag being hoisted by their senior-most residents. Residents born before 1947 shared memories of the big day. “This is a nostalgic moment for me,” smiled Bhakti Ghosh, who was 10 years old when the country gained independence. “Even though I was a child then, I distinctly remember the day when colonial shackles were removed. It was almost unbelievable for us,” said the retired headmistress, who was born in present-day Bangladesh. Others like Asoke Bhattacharya and Mrityunjoy Khan shared their stories too. Guest dance troupe Saswata Dhara presented a delightful show called O amar desher mati. Residents put up patriotic performances too. Local councillor Rajesh Chirimar attended and lauded the midnight effort. “I am overwhelmed at the response of residents of this block,” said Chirimar, who also called upon all citizens to take a pledge to be good citizens. Block secretary Prasenjit Saha said they took the initiative to recreate the historic moment of 1947. “When we proposed this midnight venture, critics said children and the elderly would fall asleep and that no one would turn up. But the hall was brimming with patriots till nearly 1am,” smiled president Arunava Das.
Rain or shine: It rained as some 100 fitness freaks marched from Central Park to Karunamoyee holding up the Indian flag chanting patriotic slogans. But none of them scurried for cover. “When our soldiers can withstand temperatures of -50°C in Siachen so we can sleep peacefully, what’s a drizzle?” asked Sanjoy Paira, a resident of Karunamoyee and a morning walker of the area.
Patriots as young as 12 and as old as 82 joined the walk from various blocks. While the march wasn’t under an official banner, many were members of Fitistan, a township-based fitness group and cyclists from Salt Lake Runners. They began the walk at about 6.45am on August 14 after singing Vande Mataram at the Netaji Park side gate of Central Park.