In a reference to last year's terror attack in Pulwama in the Kashmir Valley, the school students highlighted the sacrifice of the martyrs. A suicide bombing attack on a Central Reserve Police Force convoy in the Pulwama region killed 40 paramilitary troopers on February 14, 2019. The Jaish-e-Mohammad had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Following the decades-old tradition, students from the 71-year-old Netaji Subhash Vidyaniketan and other educational institutions organised a huge procession to highlight the role of Subhas Chandra Bose and other freedom fighters in India's Independence struggle.
The eye-catching and colourful procession also portrayed themes like the dream of freedom fighters of a united India, India's cultural diversity and unity, harmony among Hindus and Muslims, conservation of water, prevention of child marriage, empowerment of the girl child, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and awareness on differently-abled children. and so on.
Other themes portrayed on multiple tableaux touched on a variety of prevailing issues, including climate change, terror strikes across the world, significance of Swachhata Abhiyan, cultural diversity of India, reckless running of vehicles and the role of Tripura's erstwhile kings.
Through their attire, the school children in procession depicted the area's tribal culture, the culture of the tea garden workers, aforestation and planting of useful trees, folk dances and mythological stories from the epics.
Hundreds and thousands of spectators, including women and children, gathered along the streets of the state capital to witness the procession, flagged off by state Education and Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath.
State government departments and NGOs also took out tableaux highlighting various national and regional issues.
"The enormous colourful procession on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is also part of the Republic Day celebrations," Netaji Subhash Vidyaniketan Headmaster Gautam Chakraborty told the media.
"We have been organising the traditional procession on the occasion of Netaji's birth anniversary for the past 71 years to highlight the role, sacrifice and dedication of the tall freedom fighter and great son of India," Chakraborty said.
"Since 1980, the annual celebration has been a partly government sponsored event and a pre-Republic day carnival," he added.
( With inputs from IANS )