Balaka Salt Lake City held day-long events on Independence Day — flag hoisting, cultural programmes, health camp…
Major (retd) Tapas Chakraborty hoisted the flag and delivered an inspiring speech. Members had come dressed in colours of the flag — saffron, green or white.
Later in the day, all blocks of Ward 41 sent choirs to sing patriotic sings. The largest group was from BD Block, and they presented a collage of songs and recitation. “Instead of gathering at anyone’s house we practised at Balaka’s clubhouse in the park. It has a big hall, everyone sat spaced out and we sang with our masks on,” said Bipasa Mitra, a block resident who directed the group. They based their show on the works of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam.
“We are essentially a sports club and it is our Kali Puja that is most renowned. But in the run-up to our golden jubilee next year, we decided to celebrate Independence Day too,” said club president Shaibal Dutt.
The health camp had residents coming in for ECG, blood sugar tests, doctor’s consultations etc. They also sent dinner to Prabartak Sangha, a home for the differently-abled in CL Block.
