Kamalanagar, 15 August 2024: The 78th Independence Day of India was celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour at the artificial football playground in Kamalanagar, the headquarters of Chakma Autonomous District Council today. The celebration programme, organized by the District administration was honoured by Dg. Rasik Mohan Chakma, MLA of the 36-Tuichawng Constituency and Chief Executive Member of CADC, as the Chief Guest. It was also graced by the presence of Executive Members, Members of the District Council (MDCs), officials from various departments of CADC and the State Government, and other dignitaries.

In his address, the Chief Guest paid homage to India’s freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, and others. He also acknowledged the contributions of post-independence visionaries who have helped transform India into a global power. Special homage was given to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for his role in creating a strong constitutional framework that has empowered marginalized and minority communities of the country. He also highlighted the various achievements of CADC during 2023-2024, including developments in education, infrastructure, and social welfare, as well as ongoing developmental projects in the Chawngte Sub-Division.

Twelve parade contingents, representing different schools and the NCC unit of Govt. Kamalanagar College, participated in the march past. The audience was entertained with vibrant displays of cultural dances performed by cultural artists from the Art & Culture Department of CADC; the Central Chakma Mahila Samiti, Kamalanagar; Branch YMA Chawngte-P, and school-children.

Prizes were distributed to the parade contingents, judges, and participants in cultural dances by the Chief Guest. Nirvan Residential School, Public School, and P.C. Higher Secondary School secured the first, second, and third prizes, respectively. Later, Dg. Rasik Mohan Chakma, accompanied by his colleagues, visited the Community Health Centre Chawngte, where he presented gifts to the patients and interacted with the medical staff.

Earlier in the morning, Dg. Mohan Chakma, Chairman, CADC, hoisted the national flag in a short programme organized at the premises of the CADC Secretariat. Addressing the gathering there, he paid rich tribute to the heroes of the national freedom struggle who secured India’s independence in 1947. He lauded the vision of the nation’s founders for creating a Constitution that ensures equal treatment of all communities, regardless of their size or influence.

The Chairman also mentioned about the recent meetings of the ten ADCs from the Northeast, held in New Delhi and Shillong, concerning the 125th Amendment Bill to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Dg. Rasik Mohan Chakma, the CEM of CADC, had participated in these meetings. He expressed hope that, should the proposed amendment be passed, it will bring about significant benefits to CADC.