Independence Day celebrations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The capital city will witness a spree of Independence Day celebrations on Monday on the occasion of the 65th Independence Day, with the main programme being the official Independence Day celebrations of the State Government.The official function will begin with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy  hoisting the national flag at 8.30 a.m. at the Central Stadium. He will take salute at the parade which will have contingents of Police, Excise, Fire and Rescue Services and Border Security Force and students of Sainik School, Scouts and Guides and NCC cadets participating in it.Chief Minister will read out his Independence Day message to the gathering. He will then give away medals to the recipients of the President’s Vishishta Seva medals, Jeevan Raksha Pathaks and Chief Minister’s medals on the occasion.Various organisations, political parties and clubs will also organise Independence Day celebrations.The celebrations organised by KPCC will start at 9 a.m with KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala hoisting the national flag. KPCC is observing this Independence Day as ‘Punararpana Dinam’. It will organise functions in all district head quarters to felicitate freedom fighters.INTUC district committee is organising ‘Swathantra Samara Charithram,’ a photo exhibition commemorating the freedom struggle, which will be inaugurated by Shashi Tharoor M P at the VJT Hall at 9 a.m.Senior Citizens’ Association is also organising ‘Run for Health’, a mass run programme in the city on the Independence Day from Vellayambalam Junction.The Independence Day celebration of the Railway employees will start at 7.10 a.m. Divisional Railway Manager Rajiv Dutt Sharma will hoist the national flag. This will be followed by a march past by the Railway Protection Force.Residents' Associations are also joining the celebrations by organising various events commemorating the Independence Day.