ARABIAN TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Lucknow: The Jashn-e-Azadi Trust will mark Independence Day with a series of patriotic programmes culminating in a grand celebration on 15 August, including the distribution of 80 kg of laddoos, release of Tiranga balloons and pigeons, and cultural performances in Hazratganj. A key preparatory meeting of the Trust was held at Royal Cafe, Hazratganj, under the chairmanship of its president, Murlidhar Ahuja. General Secretary Nighat Khan was present, while the proceedings were conducted by Wamik Khan, Abdul Wahid and Zubair Ahmed.
Addressing the gathering, Ahuja emphasised that just as people of all faiths celebrate their major festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Eid, Guru Parv and Christmas with enthusiasm, national festivals must also be observed with equal fervour. He described 15 August and 26 January as the nation’s most important festivals that deserve collective celebration. The Trust has already begun its activities. On 9 August, office-bearers paid tribute to the martyrs of the Kakori conspiracy. On 10 August, yoga guru KD Mishra conducted a yoga camp at Janeshwar Mishra Park.
On 11 August, statues of martyrs and national leaders across the city will be cleaned and floral tributes offered under the leadership of Murtaza Ali (Peace Education Charitable Trust), Vedvrat Bajpai, Saket Sharma, Darpan Lakhmani and Dr Anil Chandani. On 12 August, a free health camp for the needy will be organised at Hindustan Bal Vidya Mandir Inter College under the guidance of Dr Adarsh Tripathi, president of Doctor Hahnemann Charitable Trust. On 13 August, the UP District Recognised Journalists Association will lead a programme “Ek Sham Veer Shahidon Ke Naam” at the Shahid Smarak in Kargil Park.
Patriotic tunes by the PAC band, lighting of 79 lamps and floral tributes to the martyrs’ statues will form part of the evening.On 14 August, tree plantation will be carried out by Mo Kaif at Kursi Road, Golf City. Dr Subodh Shukla will organise a free homeopathic health camp at Nature Homeopathic, Dudiyaganj. In the evening, a grand cultural programme titled “Ek Sham Vatan Ke Naam” will be held at Moti Mahal Lawn, organised by Sanjay Singh and Himanshu Pandey.
The main Independence Day events on 15 August will begin at 1:05 pm with flag hoisting outside Hazratganj Multi-Level Parking in the presence of religious leaders of various faiths. Tiranga balloons and pigeons will be released, and select prominent citizens will be honoured. In the evening, the same venue will host colourful patriotic performances and children’s programmes.
Eighty kilograms of laddoos, sponsored by Shyamlal Krishnani of Leenij Hotel, will be distributed. The evening programme will be supervised by Wamik Khan. On 16 August, national flags found discarded across the city will be collected and stored with respect. Nighat Khan said freedom was won through great struggle and must be celebrated with pride. Murtaza Ali stressed that national festivals deserve the same collective energy as religious ones and noted that similar celebrations have begun in Varanasi under the Trust’s efforts.
Dr Adarsh Tripathi expressed happiness at organising a large free medical camp. Founder members Abdul Wahid and Zubair Ahmed underlined the importance of communal harmony and inclusive participation, while yoga guru KD Mishra highlighted the role of health and yoga in safeguarding freedom. The meeting was attended by a large number of social workers, doctors, journalists and citizens, including Vedvrat Bajpai, Anurag Batra, RD Dwivedi, Dr Umang Khanna, Nawab Masood Abdullah, Ramesh Chandra Shukla, Saket Sharma, Councillor Sandeep Sharma and many others.
