Flag hoisting, events go virtual as Gurgaon societies gear up for Independence Day celebrations in COVID times

Like everything else this year, COVID-19 regulations are ensuring that Independence Day celebrations are muted across the city.
While the government guidelines allow for a small Independence Day celebration, provided residents wear masks and follow the guidelines of social distancing, most societies in Gurgaon are avoiding gatherings and instead opting for token flag-hoisting ceremonies with only a few people present. Most big societies are asking residents to observe the ceremony from their balconies and join in from their homes itself. Rakesh Sharma, Secretary, Beverly Park 2 RWA, says, “We have a courtyard which all the flats overlook. We will have a flag hoisting there with just two-three people present and all the residents have been requested to be present on their balconies to watch it. Then everyone will sing the national anthem from their balconies itself. We have also done away with the tea party we usually have after the flag hoisting every year.”

In places where the societies are structured in a way that it isn’t possible for all residents to observe the ceremony from their balconies or terraces, RWAs are thinking of using Facebook or WhatsApp groups to broadcast the ceremony. Some are making use of technology to make sure that not just the flag hoisting but even the cultural programmes associated with I-Day find a place in the celebrations. Sumit Khosla, member of the governing body, Valley View Estate RWA, tells us, “We will be live-streaming the flag-hoisting on the society’s Facebook page so that all residents can be involved from their homes. In addition, we have been asking people – particularly children – to send videos of their dance or song performances or pictures of their artwork on patriotic themes. These will be displayed on the society’s FB page as well. This way, we get to do what we do every year, while maintaining social distance.”
Some societies are also taking this opportunity to honour the essential service workers, who have helped them bide through the lockdown and quarantine. “Apart from the virtual flag-hoisting, we will also honour the guards and other staff in the society. All of them have been of great help to us throughout the last four months, staying away from their families and being out on the job even as everyone stayed indoors,” says Piyali Roy, member of the cultural committee in Escape Apartments, Nirvana Country.