Kanpur: Residents of Kanpur celebrated Independence Day with enthusiasm on Saturday, with govt offices, educational institutions, political organisations and civic bodies organising flag-hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes across the city.The main district-level function was held at Nana Rao Park, where minister of state for Women Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition Pratibha Shukla hoisted the national flag.Addressing the gathering, Shukla said the country’s independence was the result of the sacrifices made by countless known and unknown freedom fighters. She said the contribution of Kanpur and its heroes to the freedom movement would always be remembered.Along with district magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh, public representatives and administrative officials, the minister paid floral tributes at the Martyrs’ Memorial in Nana Rao Park.During the programme, she felicitated family members of 10 armed forces personnel martyred during the 1971 war and Operation Rakshak, as well as 18 dependants of freedom fighters.District magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh also hoisted the national flag at the Collectorate. At the function, 10 parents whose children had received all prescribed vaccinations at govt health centres within a year were honoured. Family members of freedom fighters were also felicitated on the occasion.Divisional commissioner K Vijayendra Pandian hoisted the national flag at the divisional office complex and honoured family members of freedom fighters by presenting them with shawls.Mayor Pramila Pandey hoisted the national flag at the Kanpur Municipal Corporation headquarters. She, along with officials and employees, sang the national anthem and later paid tribute to martyrs at Kargil Park.The foundation day of the Kanpur Division was also celebrated as part of the Independence Day festivities. The Kanpur Division was established on Aug 15, 1988.Former Merchants Chamber of UP president I M Rohatgi also hoisted the national flag at the chamber’s premises.
