Kolkata, July 27 (IANS) The West Bengal government has directed all state departments, municipal corporations, municipalities, district administrations and panchayats to observe the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign from August 9 to 17, in line with the Union Ministry of Culture’s nationwide initiative to promote patriotism, national unity and solidarity, a government statement said on Monday.
According to the statement, instructions have been issued to all districts to ensure the participation of government departments, panchayats, municipalities, educational institutions, cultural organisations, youth organisations, NGOs, business organisations and the common people.
The letter to the districts states that each district and Kolkata Municipal Corporation will be provided with 1.5 lakh national flags. In addition, funds have also been allocated for the programme. Each district will be given Rs 1 lakh, each sub-division Rs 50,000, each block Rs 20,000, each municipal corporation Rs 1 lakh and each municipality Rs 20,000 for this programme.
The statement said district, subdivision, block and municipal authorities have been asked to organise tricolour rallies and morning processions. Activities including bicycle and e-bike rallies involving students, NCC cadets, members of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Scouts and Guides, as well as voluntary organisations, have also been planned. Schools and colleges have been instructed to hold tricolour-themed painting programmes, while public spaces will feature quotes from freedom fighters and ‘Vande Mataram’-themed decorations.
Initiatives have been taken to decorate important places, including government offices, heritage buildings, bus terminals, and markets with tricolour lights, and create tricolour-themed rangolis in populated areas.
Authorities have further been asked to organise exhibitions, seminars, discussions, essay competitions, quizzes and painting contests highlighting the history and significance of the national flag. Public outreach will be undertaken through banners, posters, digital campaigns and the uploading of selfies with the national flag on the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ portal. A detailed report containing participation data, photographs, videos and selfie uploads will have to be submitted to the state Information and Cultural Affairs Department after the programme concludes.
–IANS
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