Patriotic songs rend air even before Independence Day

PATNA: Even as the Independence Day is three days away, the national anthem and patriotic songs have started rending the air as various schools and colleges are giving final touches to the programmes that would mark the national festival celebration on their campuses on Friday.
Even the drizzles on Tuesday morning couldn't dampen the spirit of the students who rehearsed for putting up a perfect show on the D-Day."The NCC cadets and scouts are preparing a cultural programme which will comprise patriotic songs, dance performances and speeches," Loyola High School principal Brother Satheesh said, adding an installation programme for the school leaders would also be held on the day.
DAV Public School-BSEB Colony students have been rehearsing for almost two weeks now. "Apart from a march past by the NCC cadets, a short cultural programme is being coordinated by the music department," principal Ramanuj Prasad told TOI.
Most of the educational institutions hoist the tricolour and organize a short cultural programme which includes performance on patriotic songs and skits on the lives of freedom fighters and the freedom movement. Some colleges also organize blood donation camps on the day.
Students matching their steps for the parade are a common sight on several campuses of schools and colleges. "Rehearsals are also underway for a short programme," a St Michael's High School teacher told TOI on Tuesday.
Apart from the students, parents and guardians also participate in the August 15 celebrations held every year at International School. "The students have been practicing for about three weeks and the programme will be held at the new building of the school at Pataliputra industrial estate," a schoolteacher said.
The ?jalebi' and toffee distributed at many city schools are also eagerly awaited by the students and many of them also buy the tricolour sold near the school gates. "We've invited all the students to the Independence Day celebrations and we'll also distribute sweets to everyone," Eric Rozario, vice-principal of Don Bosco Academy said.
However, St Xavier's High School students will only hoist the national flag sing the national anthem. For, not many of the students are able to make it to the school on the day as the adjacent Gandhi Maidan, where the state government's official function takes place, remains a high security zone. "Earlier we used to organize elaborate programmes with march past and would also invite special guests on the occasion. However, now we hoist the flag and distribute sweets among the students who manage to come," sports teacher of the school Yogendra Dubey told TOI.
4-day weekend
Students and office-goers may enjoy a four-day weekend this week starting from August 15 to 18. Students will be free after the Independence Day celebration at schools and colleges on Friday. If the schools remain closed on Saturday, they will enjoy at home till Monday, which is Janmashtami. Even office-goers were expecting an extended weekend. "The calendar lists Monday as Janmashtami holiday. I am planning to go out of station for a couple of days because even my children will have a holiday at school," a BSNL employee said.