Kalimpong Independence Day Celebration

Kalimpong : Independence Day celebrations is the hill town’s biggest “festival”, and this year will be no different.

Kalimpong is unique in that it celebrates the occasion on two days: August 15 and 16. The “festivity” is held on such a large scale that even people from neighbouring towns gather here to witness the spectacle.

Already 80 per cent of the hotel rooms in town are booked. “Many of the visitors are parents of students in different residential schools here,” said Sanjay Mintri, a member of the Hotel and Restaurant Owners’ Association.

Students participate in the “fest” in large numbers. The marching band display by school contingents is one of the highlights of the programme. All education institutions remain closed for three days. The last day is to allow students to rest after weeks of toil.

Prakash Pradhan, the director of Rockvale Academy, said the grandeur here must be seen to be believed. “They say if you want to watch Republic Day celebrations, go to Delhi. But to watch Independence Day programme, come to Kalimpong.”

A special committee, comprising people from various walks of life, oversees the preparation of the celebrations. This time it met under the leadership of GNLF leader Dawa Sherpa.

All the events, including football matches, are held at the Mela Ground over two days. However, only a lucky few hundreds manage to get in the ground, the remaining lot flood every nook and cranny of the town. Such is the rush that vehicles are not allowed to enter the town.

Source: The Telegraph