No cultural events and large crowd this Independence Day in Nagaland

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 3 (EMN): Every year, India’s Independence Day is celebrated with grandeur, gaiety and fervour with jam-packed crowds at parade grounds, witnessing the displays and presentations put up by the military personnel, students and tribal cultural troupes.

However, the 74th Independence Day celebration in Nagaland will be celebrated differently this year, as the novel coronavirus pandemic has hit the entire country. The occasion will be observed with no large gatherings and by maintaining social distancing among the few attendees.

The state Home department, following the directives of the Home Ministry, had issued a circular on July 31 to all the deputy commissioners with advisories to be followed for the celebration.

It informed that the respective deputy commissioners would organise the event by unfurling the national flag and taking the Rashtriya salute at respective grounds in the district headquarters where the occasion is usually hosted. It also informed that the additional deputy commissioners/sub-divisional officers (civil) would unfurl the national flag and take the Rashtriya salute.

The letter stated that there would be no requirement for reading out the chief minister’s speech, informing that his speech delivered in Kohima would be telecast and it will be official for the entire state.

Cultural events or any other kind of event that require the presence of a large number of people will be avoided; crowds at the venue/grounds will also be avoided, it informed.

The number of officers and staff coming to witness the programmes will be restricted and seating arrangements should ensure social distancing norms and further steps will have to be taken for disinfection of the venue before the commencement of the programme, it directed.

The department also notified the deputy commissioners that rostrums and the ground have to be suitably decorated as usual, while the district police, preferably DEF, will be arranged for presenting the salute with social distancing maintained by all the contingents putting on face masks.

Accordingly, the department had also issued a list of work distribution for celebrating the 74th Independence Day at the Nagaland Secretariat Plaza in Kohima for the ceremonial function.

It informed that the chief minister would unfurl the national flag and take the Rashtriya salute. Contingents from the 4th NAP Bn, 10th NAP (IR) Bn and Nagaland Police Central Brass Band will present the guard of honour.