Agra, Aug 15 (IANS) Independence Day celebrations were held across the city of the Taj on Monday, wherein traders bodies and mohalla samitis among others organised Tricolour-hoisting ceremonies and musical programmes.
Many government buildings and educational institutions were lit up overnight for the occasion.
Divisional Commissioner Chandra Kant addressed the government employees after unfurling the national flag in the city and appealed to everyone to be proud of the country's achievements and its composite culture.
The railways also organised a function at the DRM's office here.
At the Taj Mahal, some persons tried to march in with the Tricolour but were prevented from entering by the Central Industrial Security Force personnel deployed there. A few of them were taken to the area police station but released later.
"We were amazed to see people in white holding the Tricolour and singing patriotic songs everywhere we drove through the city," said activists Rahul Raj and Deepak Rajput.
Independence Day programmes were also held in various educational institutions.
Kendriya Hindi Sansthan Director Nand Kishore Pandey unfurled the Tricolour on the campus where foreign students and those from the northeast sang the national anthem.
"It was a proud moment as students put up one programme after another and sang patriotic songs," said Registrar Chandra Kant Tripathi.
The Agra Municipal Corporation staff cleaned up the city areas and sprinkled 'roli' colours to add to the festive ambience.
"At the Yamuna ghat, members of the River Connect Campaign conducted special religious prayers for the health of the river and prosperity of the nation," said Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society president Surendra Sharma.
