Week-long Independence Day celebrations in the national capital

New Delhi: A weeklong Independence Day celebrations with musical concerts, kite flying, slide shows, photo exhibitions on freedom struggle and other events will be held from next week in the heart of the national capital.

The New Delhi Municipal Council has decided to celebrate 'Independence week' starting from August 11 to August 15 in the area under it with major activities in Connaught Place, NDMC chairperson Jalaj Shrivastava said.

Besides the usual cleanliness and tree plantation drives along with cultural events, the celebrations will include kite flying, highlighting of the tricolour installed at CP using laser lights, fireworks, a slide show projection using the natural white facade of inner circle, musical concerts at Central Park on August 11 and 12, he said.

An exhibition of 30-35 large size rare photographs from Independence struggle will also be put on display at various places in CP. The exhibition will showcase rare moments of everyday life and nation building from 1930s to 1960s. The parks under the civic body such as Fragrance Park and Sanjay Jheel Park, will also be decorated, the chairman said. However, due to security reasons, Lodhi Garden, Talkatora, and Nehru Park will see less activities.

Since India will be celebrating its 68th Independence Day, 68 flags made of flowers will be put up on various round-abouts from August 14-15.

After the completion of routine Independence Day functions on August 15, Raahgiri Day will be organised at CP from afternoon and will extend till late evening.

Under this, the market will be closed for traffic and pedestrians will get a chance to explore the original charm of the place, Shrivastava said.