Scouts & Guides and NCC cadets rehearse for the state-level Independence Day parade in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 11: The capital city is gearing up to celebrate the 64th Independence Day with a series of programmes and activities on August 15.

Amid a sustained drizzle this afternoon, the dress rehearsal kicked off as hundreds of school and college students marched down the Mahatma Gandhi Marg. Quite a few of them, who were taking part in the parade rehearsal for the first time, tried to make sure that their steps were perfect. None seemed to care about the weather.

“After three years of trying, I finally got selected for the parade this time. Rain is not a bother at all. Even if I fall sick on D-day, I would still come and participate in the march past. It is difficult to express in words how proud I feel to be part of this preparation,” said Alvina Das, a Class X student of DAV Public School, Unit-8.

Other first timers shared a similar view. “Getting wet in this rain while practicing for the Independence parade gives you a different kind of feeling, a sense of pride and patriotism. I have never got an opportunity like this before,” gushed Sasmita Padhi, a Plus Three second year student of Ekamra College.

Class X student of Mothers’ Public School, Amit Kumar Ray, and his friends, who would be part of the state-level parade on August 15, were equally thrilled. “Last year, I was not selected for the march past. I put in my best efforts to work on fitness and discipline and here I am. What a great honour it would be to march before the chief minister and other dignitaries on Independence Day!” said Amit.

Today, two rounds of march past was conducted between 2.45pm and 4.30 pm in which 57 platoons took part. Besides the cadets from schools and colleges, jawans of Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Railway Protection Force, 120 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army, home guards, traffic police, and volunteers of several organisations participated in the drill, presenting a colourful spectacle. An ambulance, a fire vehicle and one horse squad were also part of the dress rehearsal.

The practice would continue till August 13. “A total of 62 platoons would participate in the drill on August 15. We have deployed 25 platoons of security forces for the parade. Cadets are in high spirits and the rain has not affected their enthusiasm or vigour,” Nitinjeet Singh, deputy commissioner of police (DCP), said.

Additional DCP of special security battalion Mohammad Zahid would be the merit commander this year. On the basis of the performance during the Republic Day parade on January 26, NCC cadets and non-NCC school students would be awarded on August 15.