Independence Day: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to honour COVID warriors

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will felicitate COVID warriors during the Independence Day programme at Red Road. Special mementos will be given to 25 frontline fighters of the state

Kolkata: Independence Day will be celebrated across the country tomorrow (August 15), and there will be celebrations on Red Road in Kolkata too, in compliance with all the coronavirus (COVID-19) rules.

This time, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will felicitate 25 frontline fighters of the state who have saved Kolkata from COVID-19 infection while risking their own lives.

According to sources, only state ministers, bureaucrats, and senior police officials, including the DG-CP, will be present at this year's Red Road event. There will also be some Army officers present in the event.

A total of 100 to 120 guests will be present on Red Road. Special mementos will be given to 25 frontline fighters of the state.

Famous Bengali artists will sing songs written by Mamata in the middle of the flag hoisting ceremony. The list will also include two-block development officers (BDOs) from the corona recovered districts.

The district administration has a plan to entertain 10 corona fighters of the district. Along with the two BDOs, two corona-winning health workers, two policemen, and four commoners who won against the virus will be felicitated.

Doctors, nurses, and health workers are at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had thanked them. This time the Union home ministry proposed to honour corona fighters and those who won their battles against the virus.

Due to the pandemic, the public will not have an opportunity to sit on Red Road on Independence Day this year. The event is being kept free of gatherings as much as possible.

Meanwhile, the Kolkata Police are keeping a close watch on all the arrangements that are being made for this event. There should be a minimum distance of six feet between seats. A proposal had been made to complete the programme within 25 minutes.

 Watch Tower and the stage are covered in tri-colour. There are more than 50 CCTVs on Red Road. Strict checking will be done at every place of entry and exit in Kolkata. Police pickets are being placed in important places with thousands of police being deployed across the city on August.