DOMBIVLI: A 35,000 sq ft Tricolour carried by thousands of citizens through Dombivli on Independence Day on Friday became the centrepiece of a record-setting patriotic celebration, even as the absence of BJP leaders from the Shiv Sena MP Dr Shrikant Shinde-led event triggered political buzz in the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency.The giant flag rally, organised by the Dr Shrikant Shinde Foundation along with more than 100 social organisations, saw over 10,000 students and participants help carry the Tricolour, while organisers claimed that nearly 25,000 citizens took part in the overall celebration.The event’s major highlight was its record recognition process. Organisers said the giant Tricolour rally was officially recorded through World Records India, Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records who handed records to organiser during event, turning the Independence Day celebration into a record-setting initiative.The rally began at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk (Gharga Circle) in Dombivli East and passed through Lokmanya Tilak statue, Char Rasta and Nerurkar Path before concluding near the 150-foot-high national flag mast at Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Udyan in Dattanagar, where Shinde hoisted the national flag.Students from more than 50 schools, NCC and NSS cadets, Scouts and Guides, ex-servicemen, social organisations and citizens from various sections participated. Patriotic songs, slogans and cultural performances along the route added to the atmosphere.While the rally brought together most Shiv Sena corporators from the Kalyan Lok Sabha area and the mayors of Kalyan-Dombivli and Ulhasnagar civic bodies, BJP leaders remained conspicuously absent.The absence became a talking point as Shiv Sena and BJP are alliance partners. Shiv Sena sources said local BJP leaders had been invited to participate in the rally along with social organisations and other participants.Sources also pointed out that BJP’s KDMC deputy mayor Rahul Damle had attended the press conference organised by the rally’s organising committee before the event. However, he too did not participate in Friday’s rally.The BJP’s absence was particularly noticeable given the scale of the event and the participation of a large number of Shiv Sena functionaries and elected representatives from the constituency.BJP Kalyan district president Nandu Parab, however, attributed the absence to programmes organised by the party at the ward level.“Our party workers were conducting Tricolour rallies and other Independence Day programmes at the ward level. Because of these programmes, we could not participate in this rally,” Parab said.Shinde thanked students, parents, teachers, social organisations, ex-servicemen and citizens for participating despite heavy rain.“Even heavy rain could not dampen the enthusiasm of Dombivlikars. The Tricolour is a symbol of India’s unity, integrity, sacrifice and pride,” he said.Referring to Gen Z and Gen Alpha, Shinde said the younger generation had an important role in India’s future and should use its knowledge and capabilities for the country’s development.
