Bhubaneswar

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will launch the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign on Sunday as part of the Independence Day celebrations, with the campaign scheduled to continue from August 9 to 17, a minister said.

Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Saturday said a rally will be held from Hatiasuni Ground to Lumbini Vihar Road and will be attended by government officials, youth, voluntary organisations, sportspersons, students, NCC and NSS volunteers, besides people from across the state.

Similar Tiranga rallies will also be organised at the district level, the minister said.

As part of the campaign, 60 lakh national flags will be prepared by women Self-Help Groups under the Mission Shakti department and distributed across all districts, Suraj told a press conference.

As on Saturday, more than 45 lakh flags had already been prepared, he said.

The Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department has provided Rs 15 crore to the Mission Shakti department for preparing the flags.

Each of the state's 30 districts has also been provided Rs 10 lakh for the campaign, the minister said.

On August 14, Odisha Sahitya Akademi will organise the state-level observance of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day. Similar programmes will be held across all districts.

The state-level programme will feature a photo exhibition, screening of short films and a theatrical presentation depicting the experiences and impact of Partition, Suraj said.

Families affected by Partition will be invited to share their experiences and will also be felicitated. A silent candle march will be held after the programme, he said.

The state-level Independence Day celebration will be organised on August 15 under the aegis of the Information and Public Relations Department.

The Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi will organise a patriotic musical programme titled 'Bharatiyam' at Rabindra Mandap.

A special concert will also be organised to commemorate the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram', the minister said.

The celebrations will also feature sand art, a large-scale rangoli exhibition and 'Selfie with Tiranga' booths.

From August 9 to 17, citizens can take selfies with the national flag and upload their photographs on the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' website.

Participants will also be able to download digital certificates.

An online quiz competition will also be organised through the MyGov portal, with students from schools, colleges and universities expected to participate in the campaign and the quiz, Suraj said.

Describing the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign as more than a government programme, Suraj said it provided an opportunity for citizens to come together and pay tribute to the motherland.

"Tiranga is our identity and our pride," the minister said, appealing to private institutions, voluntary organisations, NGOs and people across Odisha to actively participate in the campaign.

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He also urged citizens across the state to display the national flag at their homes and join the celebrations in the spirit of patriotism and national unity.