Hazarika on lips, students await cultural extravaganza

With Independence Day around the corner, the buzz is palpable among students in Guwahati.
When chief minister Tarun Gogoi will hoist the tricolour at the Khanapara Veterinary College grounds on Friday, all eyes will be on the students who will participate in a cultural show at the venue.
As many as 1,000 students will dance to Bhupen Hazarika’s immortal tune “Tapta Tikhare Agni Shakti, Rakta Barane Jwale,” said Kamal Jyoti Gogoi, inspector of schools for Kamrup (Metro) district, who is supervising the preparations.
He added that Independence Day celebrations in city schools, as well as students’ participation in state-level programmes, will infuse a sense of patriotism among them. The education department has instructed all schools and colleges to hoist the national flag on Friday.
Sattriya and Bhortal dances, which showcase the rich Assamese culture, will be performed by students on the Veterinary College grounds.
For GU student Pragyan Bhuyan, the I-Day represents freedom. “On Independence Day, I will resolve to work for the nation and its people. The sacrifice of the martyrs, who laid down their lives for us, should never go in vain. All of us must try our best to build a better world, eradicating poverty, hunger and illiteracy,” Bhuyan said.
Over the last week, students of New Guwahati Adarsha High School, Pub Guwahati High School, TC Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Ganeshmadir Higher Secondary School and Kahilipara High School have been sweating it out, rehearsing for the parade and cultural programmes to be held on Friday. Despite strikes called by various extremist outfits, students are eagerly awaiting the day.