Security personnel rehearse for Independence Day parade at Judges Field on Tuesday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Aug 8: With a view to make the Independence Day more popular among schoolchildren, the Kamrup (metro) administration is organising elocution contests in all the schools in greater Guwahati.

The topic of the contest is “India’s freedom movement and the role of leaders from Assam”. The final round of the contest will be held Kamrup Academy School on August 10.

Deputy commissioner of Kamrup (metro), Avinash Joshi, had written to all government and private schools to organise the competition first at the school-level. Three best students from each school will participate in the final round. “Three best students of the final round will be felicitated during Independence Day function at Judges Field. The runners up will also be given consolation prizes. The objective of the competition is to increase the students’ awareness about Independence Day,” an official said.

He said the schoolchildren have become more reluctant to participate in Independence Day functions. “Many students are not aware of the significance of Independence Day. Teachers and parents have also become reluctant to generate awareness among the students about the day,” the official said.

On the occasion, the Bir Chilarai Award for the year 2005 will be given to eight best cadets of the senior and junior divisions of the NCC during the Independence Day function. The award consists of Rs 25,000 and a citation.

Two eminent personalities, Sonaram Chutia and Hem Bharali, will also be felicitated on the day.

The district administration has also appealed to senior citizens to make the Independence Day celebration in the city a success.

In the meantime, security arrangements has been intensified at Judges Field. Explosive detection devices and sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to foil any attempt at subversion.