ISLAMABAD: The Nation is all set to celebrate the 69th Independence Day, falling on August 14, with great patriotic zeal by paying tributes to the national heroes for their sacrifices and pledging to work for the country’s prosperity.
The patriotic citizens have already started decorating their homes and vehicles with national flags, bunting and stickers to give the final touches to their preparations for Azadi day.
The Independence Day celebrations would start with Flag hoisting ceremonies at government and private organisations in the morning time followed by the national anthem and prayers for country’s progress.
Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) will organise Azadi culturally and musical show on August 13, featuring a number of colourful performances by the artists belonged to all the provinces. PNCA is also holding week-long programmes including tableaus, skits, national songs and folk dances as part of the cultural show.
While colourful puppets will portray the history of the Pakistan Movement in the form of stories to grab the attention of the children and educate them about their history.
Besides depicting the culture and traditions of the country, such shows also educate the youth regarding the struggle of freedom fighters through soft expressions of art, said an official of PNCA.
Capital Development Authority (CDA), under its comprehensive plan, has started a three-day Table Tennis Competition at Sports Complex from August 11.
While a three-day Jashan-e-Azadi Mela will begin at F-9 Park from August 12 featuring different stalls carrying Jashan-e-Azadi accessories including dresses, flags, bunting and eatables.
CDA will also hold two-day birds show from August 13 at Lakeview Park. A painting exhibition, children singing and painting competition would also be held at Art and Craft Village on the same days.
Azadi Train which is one of the striking features of Independence day celebrations has begun its month-long journey from Margalla Station Islamabad on Thursday.
The train comprises over 17 coaches, would exhibit a different aspect of Pakistan’s culture and also highlight sacrifices of heroes of the Independence movement and armed forces for the country’s defence.
Pakistan Post will issue a commemorative stamp on August 14 on great social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi to pay tribute to his services. Lok Virsa will hold `Mehfil-e-Maliki’ at open air theatre at PNCA on August 13 with the participation of the country’ renowned artists.
While Lok Virsa Mandwa Film Club will screen the famous film “Jinnah” on August 13 at 6 pm at Lok Virsa Media Centre. An exhibition of Artisans-at-work featuring master crafts people in various craft areas such as truck art, mirror work, doll making, block printing, lacquer art, etc. will demonstrate their skills for public at Heritage Museum on August 13.
Special Independence Day cake cutting ceremony will take place at the Pakistan Monument Museum on August 14. A live performance by newly established Lok Virsa Folk Dance Group is also scheduled on August 14 at Heritage Museum.
“The enthusiasm was seen in the younger generation for celebrating Independence Day this year is worth seeing, Aslam, a citizen at Jashan-e-Azadi stall in G-9 Markaz said while talking to APP. He said, “It is a perfect time to pay tributes to our national heroes, recognise their services and renew our pledges to work for the prosperity of the country”.
