7500 Sq ft Tricolor to Cover Victoria Memorial on 75th Independence Day

Photo: Vishal Rohatgi

With a view to commemorate the 75th Independence Day of India and to pay tribute to the Freedom Fighters of India on 15th August 2021, an Indian Tricolour measuring 7500 square feet will be dedicated to the Nation by Sh. Jagdeep Dhankhar, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal at the Victoria Memorial Hall. The event will be co-hosted by three organizations, namely:

  1. Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata
  2. India tourism Kolkata, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India
  3. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling

The event will also witness the planting of 750 saplings at the premises of the Victoria Memorial Hall, symbolizing the 75th Year of Indian Independence. The National Flag will be hoisted by H.E. The Governor of West Bengal, who will be given a Guard of Honour by the CISF, with a rendition of the National Anthem by the Army Band.

The momentous event will take place from 0930 to 1030 hrs on Independence Day.

The 7500 ft. Indian National flag that will be dedicated to the Nation by Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal, began its journey on the 25th of April 2021 when it was unfurled by officials of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) atop Mt. Rhenock in the Sikkim Himalayas at an altitude of 16,500 feet. The Tricolour then travelled to Darjeeling, the Queen of Hills where it was unfurled once again at the HMI during the International Day of Yoga on the 21st of June 2021 which was celebrated in collaboration with India tourism Kolkata across the country.

On the eve of the historical occasion, Dr. Jayanta Sengupta, Curator and Secretary, Victoria Memorial Hall said – “The Victoria Memorial Hall is privileged to collaborate with India tourism Kolkata and HMI, Darjeeling, in having this unique celebration of India@75, with the icon of the city and one of the grandest buildings of imperial India being draped in a 7500 sq. ft. National Flag, in the Hon’ble Governor’s presence. The irony of history cannot be missed by anybody in this symbolic and spectacular event.”

Sh. Sagnik Chowdhury, Dy. Director General and Regional Director (East), Ministry of Tourism observed – “The Government of India is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in all corners of the country with active and enthusiastic participation from citizens, stakeholders, educational institutes and other Government and Non-Governmental Organisations. We feel honoured to partner with Victoria Memorial Hall, the most visited museum in India, and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, a prestigious and globally leading Institute in adventure activities, in a historical event where a titanic Tricolour is being dedicated to the Nation by the H.E The Hon’ble Governor. The event venerates our achievements as a Nation in the last 75 years”.

Group Captain Jai Kishan, Principal, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Darjeeling expressed his thoughts in the following words – “A dream from the top of the mountains, a journey from the Queen of Hills, spreading the message of Courage, Peace & Prosperity. We get the trio at the city of Freedom Fighters, unfolding a billion dreams and hope. To you, I call upon my countrymen. Follow the footsteps of those who laid their lives for you.”