Gurgaon: More than 3,000 schoolchildren turned Independence Day celebrations into a vibrant showcase of patriotism and India’s cultural diversity on Saturday, with performances ranging from ‘Vande Mataram’ to Punjabi, Rajasthani and Haryanvi folk dances, while seven uniformed contingents took part in a ceremonial parade at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Sector 38.At the district function, students were the centre of attraction, presenting performances that reflected both patriotism and the city’s multicultural character. Students of Pranavananda International School, Sector 92, performed on ‘Vande Mataram’, while those from PM Shri Govt Senior Secondary School, Arjun Nagar, presented Krishna Leela.Girls from Govt Girls Senior Secondary School, Jacobpura, presented a Punjabi dance, and students of Govt Senior Secondary School, Sector 4/7, showcased a Rajasthani folk dance. Students of Govt Model Sanskriti Senior Secondary School, Sushant Lok, Sector 43, presented a Haryanvi dance, while a special performance by students of Blue Bells School, Sector 4, focused on women’s empowerment. Laser and dumbbell shows were also staged.The Haryanvi dance was adjudged the best performance, followed by the Rajasthani dance, with the women’s empowerment presentation placed third.The parade was another highlight, with seven contingents — city police, women police, traffic police, home guards, NCC senior boys of DSD College, student police cadets of Govt Senior Secondary School Jacobpura, and Prajatantra Ke Prahari — taking part in the march-past led by ACP Abhilaksh Joshi. The traffic police contingent was adjudged first, followed by the women police contingent and Prajatantra Ke Prahari.
Students perform during Independence Day celebrations at Tau Devi Lal Stadium
Haryana assembly deputy speaker Krishna Lal Middha hoisted the national flag at the district-level function and inspected the parade. He also paid floral tributes at the memorial for freedom fighters and martyrs, and honoured their family members.Addressing the gathering, Middha said Haryana had an important role in strengthening India’s economic growth, citing the state’s contribution to industry, agriculture, services, investment, infrastructure and employment. “The state’s estimated GSDP for 2026-27 was around Rs 15 lakh crore, an increase of about 11% over the previous year,” he said.He said the Independence Day theme, ‘Yuva Shakti — Leading the Journey of Viksit Bharat 2047’, underlined the role of young people in the country’s development, adding that govt was focusing on education, skills, employment, sports and self-employment opportunities for youth. Middha also announced Rs 5 lakh as prize money for the school students who participated in the programme.The celebrations extended beyond the district-level function, with more than 1,000 residents and employees taking part in DLF’s annual Freedom Run at DLF5, blending fitness, music and national pride. The run began at Club5 and concluded at the newly inaugurated DLF Summit Plaza, with Zumba, a flash mob, and dhol and bhangra performances accompanying it.
