Amid Pandemic, no general public, no colourful show at Independence Day fete this year

Bengaluru: Every year the Independence Day is celebrated with grandeur, gaiety, fervor, and enthusiasm. However, amid the novel coronavirus this year the I-day celebration will be very simple.

In Bengaluru, the Independence Day program will be held at Manekshaw Parade Ground. Certain preventive measures such as maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, proper sanitization, avoiding large congregations, etc have been issued to control the spread of the virus.

Speaking with this regard BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad said that the chief minister BS Yediyurappa will unfurl the tricolor and address the people at 9 am after the guard of honour.

There will be no participation by the general public this year and no cultural program, march past, or aerial flower show during the official celebrations of Independence Day this year.

The colorful event is traditionally held for four to five hours at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground on Cubbon Road, and around 6,000 schoolchildren perform in it. But this year, it will be reduced to between 45 minutes to one hour.

This year as many as 75 COVID-19 warriors and 25 people who were cured of the infection will take part in the program.

Keeping in mind the COVID-19 situation, the government has installed 47 CCTVs, and 680 police personnel have been deployed to maintain social distancing and to make sure everyone wear face masks.