Bengal celebrates 58th Republic Day peacefully

Kolkata, Jan 26 (UNI) The 58th Republic Day was celebrated peacefully today amid tight security cover throughout West Bengal.

Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of the combined forces of the Army, Navy and Airforce at an impressive parade on the Red Road, where the might of the Indian armed forces were put on display for the general public.

Besides the presentation of a number of colourful tableux, NCC cadets and many school children also took part in the two-hour long ceremony which drew huge crowds all along the three km route of the parade in central Kolkata.

Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee, several of his ministerial colleagues, state Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb, Home Secretary Prasad Ranjan Roy and heads of several Dipomatic missions in the city including those from the USA, U.K. Italy, France, Germany and Bangladesh were present on the occasion.

Though there was no call for boycott of the Republic Day celebrations from any quarters, the state administration left no stone unturned to ensure foolproof security and deployed large number of security personnel in all important government and private installations and maintained round the clock vigil.

Meanwhile, the day was also celebrated by various government organisations like the Kolkta Port Trust, Eastern, South-Eastern and Metro Railways where the Chiefs of the organisations unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute of the Central security forces at impressive ceremonies.

National flags were also unfurled at the local headquarters of several political parties including the Congress,Trinamool Congress and the BJP by the respected party leaders. A large number of organisations and clubs also celebrated the 58th Republic Day throughout the state by hoisting the national flag and organising marchpast by the children.

A number of seminars and workshops on different aspects of the Republic day were also organised during the day.

UNI