Gujarat Governor OP Kohli unfurled the National Flag to the tune of National Anthem at the 69th Republic Day’s State-level function at Mehsana in North Gujarat on Friday amidst flowers being showered from a helicopter.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani took the Guard of Honour at the parade ground. The State-level R-Day function was this year held at Mehsana as part of Gujarat Government’s policy of decentralisation with people’s participation to hold the national functions like Independence Day and Gujarat’s Foundation Day at different district headquarters by rotation – a precedence set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
The march past was presented by 1,077-strong 32 Platoon followed by Mounted Police, Dogs Squad, hair-raising stunts by motorcycle borne Policemen and Policewomen. The Police Force also presented cultural programmes, rifle drill, judo, karate, gymnastics, equestrian, and dog adventures.
Hundreds of students from different schools like that of Patan Group, Urban Shabari, Divine School, Unjha, Ganpat University presented variety entertainment programmes like Bhavai dance led by Baldevbhai Naik, Mandvi Garbo and Vande Mataram. Kohli and Rupani later presented trophies and prizes to the winners of different competitions.
Interestingly the BJP led Government chooses Mehsana, the epicenter of Patidar quota agitation, as the venue for the State function to celebrate the Republic Day. According to sources the Rupani Government had decided to hold the R-Day function at Navsari but later on it shifted to the North Gujarat town Mehsana to regain confidence of Patidars.
Meanwhile, on the On the eve of 69th Republic-day Gujarat Governor Kohli exchanged greetings with eminent leaders and citizens in Mehsana district, where the state level ‘Republic Day’ ‘At Home’ function was held. To mark the occasion entire Mehsana town has been decorated with colorful lights. Buildings including palace, civil hospitals, town hall, district court building were renovated ahead of the function.