Wear your patriotism proudly this Independence Day, writes Disney Brar

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Chandigarh, August 13

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed- Martin Luther King Jr

India is celebrating its 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026. This marks 79 years since the country gained freedom from more than two centuries of British colonialism, rule, and oppression in 1947. This year, the day also honours 150 years of Vande Mataram, with the national song to be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the very first time in the history of India. This year, the Independence Day theme also includes Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat @ 2047. It is a day when every Indian remembers the relentless struggle, unparalleled sacrifices, unwavering faith, and determination of our freedom fighters. 

With our Independence Day just two days away, Chandigarh, our city beautiful, is decked up like a true patriot, with the  tricolour flowing free and proud at strategic locations across the city, with its roundabouts and roads embellished and illuminated with twinkling lights in the colours of our National flag. All the government buildings, offices, tourist spots and markets too are dressed and draped in the proud colours of our national flag. In fact, many public awareness rallies are being organised at strategic locations across the tricity, besides which patriotic and tiranga-themed displays can be seen mushrooming across the city spots.

Joining the nationwide Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan, the city is also observing this campaign from August 9 to 17. The campaign was launched by the administration with a patriotic cultural program organised in Sector 22, which also saw participation by the city-based Resident Welfare Associations and market bodies from various sectors. This year, the Independence Day celebrations in the city are also seeing strong participation from the youth and residents of the tricity. 

A wide range of activities, including tiranga rallies, walkathons, cycle, bike and car tiranga rallies, painting and rangoli competitions, and quizzes, are also being organised. Patriotic-themed exhibitions, cultural performances and nukkad nataks are being held across the city. Many selfie points are being set up wherein one can upload one’s selfie with the tiranga, besides which boat rallies, heritage-based programs, laser and sound shows are also being organised in the city. The flag-hoisting ceremonies have already begun in the city schools, colleges and offices. So all you tricity residents have a lot to pick and choose from when it comes to flaunting your patriotism for your country up your sleeves. 

This year, the patriotic fervour, spirit and zeal of the residents in raising a toast to the freedom of our country is also worth appreciating, with almost everyone we bump into trying to participate and contribute in celebrating this momentous day and making it memorable.

Sudha Kumari, a writer and a resident of Sector 52, is organising a slogan and a letter-writing competition for the residents of her society, she informs, “I am organising a competition on August 14, where everyone is welcome to pen a letter to any of their favourite freedom fighters, wherein they will write a message for them and we will display this board containing all these letters in Sector 17 plaza later on. Also, there is a slogan writing competition for the youngsters to participate in.”  In fact, the Chandigarh Administration is also taking special initiatives to encourage the youth of the tricity to write letters of gratitude and appreciation to personnel of the armed forces and the police for their service to the nation.

While Rakhi Gupta, a government school teacher from Sector 36, is hosting a thread and weave activity in Sector 22 market for anyone who wants to showcase their talent using threads in the hues of the tricolour, talking to The North News, she says, “Later on, the best creations will be selected for an exhibition which will be put up in Sector 17.”

Resham Bajaj, a law student from Panjab University is organising a cycle rally with her friends to create awareness amongst the poor about the importance of this day, she says, “it is very important to inform, educate and create awareness about the importance of August 15 amongst the poor and the downtrodden and this year my friends and I have decided to organise a cyclothon which will start from the university and pass through various sectors of the city before culminating in Sector 17. We are also going to be distributing our tricolor-themed T-shirts to the poor of our city.” 

Last but not least, Amanpreet Kaur Sandhu, a resident of Sector 43, is holding a tricolor-themed Rakhi-making competition at the Sector 42 market: “I am going to put up a stall where women from my colony will be organising a tricolor-themed Rakhi competition, wherein the winner will win food coupons and free tickets to watch a film on Independence Day.” The administration will also observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on August 14 with exhibitions, film screenings, a play, experience-sharing sessions by the partition-affected families, a silent march and displays of archival material.

Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam once said, “Freedom is not just about independence; it is about self-discovery and self-realisation.” It is important to discover your own mettle and creativity in celebrating the most important occasion for your country and for you, as a responsible citizen of this proud country called India. Happy Independence.