Anand, Aug 14 (IANS) More than 10,000 people joined a Tiranga Yatra through Anand and Vallabh Vidyanagar on Friday, as the district administration and Karamsad-Anand Municipal Corporation organised the procession as part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign ahead of India’s 80th Independence Day.

Deputy Chief Minister, Harsh Sanghavi, flagged off the yatra from Shastri Maidan in Vallabh Vidyanagar and participated in the procession along with ministers, elected representatives, officials, students, police personnel, NCC cadets, sportspersons, Home Guards, TRB personnel and citizens.

The event formed part of a series of Tiranga Yatras being organised across Gujarat ahead of Independence Day.

The procession passed through Vidyanagar Shaheed Chowk and the Bhai Kaka statue before proceeding along Vidyanagar Road and concluding at Anand Town Hall.

Participants carried the Tricolour and raised slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”.

Sanghavi congratulated the people of Anand district for their participation and extended greetings to citizens taking part in the Independence Day celebrations.

The yatra began with a patriotic dance performance by students dressed in special attire.

Students from schools and colleges, NCC cadets, including members of the NCC Gujarat Battalion and NCC Girls Battalion, young sportspersons and other participants subsequently joined the procession.

The police contingent included motorcycle-borne personnel carrying the Tricolour, mounted police, the police band, women police constables and other personnel. Home Guards and members of the TRB and Gram Rakshak Dal also participated.

The municipal corporation had installed flags on buildings along both sides of Vidyanagar Road.

Series and decorative lights were put up on road-side poles, while the display of flags and decorations gave the route a Tricolour-themed appearance during the procession.

Senior officials and elected representatives also walked alongside citizens rather than remaining apart from the procession.

Those participating included Karamsad-Anand Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipika Patel, Deputy Mayor Kamlesh Dabhi, Standing Committee Chairman Mayur Suthar, Anand District Collector Praveen Chaudhary, Municipal Commissioner R.N. Dodiya, along with other officials, and college students.

The Anand procession was held amid a wider state campaign under which Tiranga Yatras have been planned in several parts of Gujarat.

The state government had earlier said that more than 1,200 such yatras had received permission across the state as part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign.

The yatra concluded at Town Hall after passing through the main stretch of Vidyanagar Road, with participants carrying the Tricolour throughout the procession.

–IANS

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