Independence Day Celebration
in Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam Inter-College,
on 15th August 2013

Report by Manisha Sharma, Student of Class XII A

The 67th Independence Day was celebrated by Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam Inter-College in a solemn manner, on 15th August 2013.

The Chief Guest, Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji Maharaj, President Omkarananda Ashram, hoisted the National Flag, which was followed by the National Anthem.

Kumari Somashekhariji, General Secretary Omkarananda Ashram, Mr. Mahaveer Singh Negi, President School Managing Committee, and other honourable Members of the Managing Committee, along with Principal (Retd.) Col. D. L. Sachdeva, Teachers and Students, were present on the occasion.

Flag hoisting on the 67th Independence Day by Swami Vishveshwarananda, President Omkarananda Ashram.

The day of 15th August of every year is a golden day, engraved in the history of India and the world.
Every year we conduct this occasion in a very traditional manner with great zeal and enthusiasm. But this year, as we all know, Uttarakhand had been struck by a natural calamity, "Himalayan Tsunami", in which thousands of people lost their lives and many of them are still missing, so as a tribute and a mark of respect towards them we conducted this occasion in a very solemn manner.

We are a privileged to have been born in free India. Highlighting this was a song "Jhanda Uncha Rahe Hamara", which was dedicated to our Tricolor and was presented by our school choir group. It was a melodious song and it filled our hearts with great patriotic zeal and fervor.

Singing of the National Anthem by the School Students,
Teachers, Guests and Management Committee Members.

Speaking on this occasion, Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji enlightened us with his inspirational thoughts, of how India got freedom and about the hard work and struggle of Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters. Swamiji told us to follow the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi, who attained freedom by non-violence. Swamiji told us how an individual can bring about a change and develop patriotism and spread it in the country. He also enlightened us with the glorious past of our country, India, when India was considered to be a "Golden Bird". Swamiji told us about the role of the students and how they can be useful to their country. He said, that there is a Mahatma in all of us. He also expressed sorrow and grief at the recent Uttarakhand tragedy.

In his Vote of Thanks our Principal Sir spoke about the tragedy that occurred recently in our State, Uttarakhand, and he highlighted the glory of India.