Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee unfurled the tricolour at the Indira Gandhi Sarani and observed a colourful parade marked by tableaus depicting rich cultural heritage as West Bengal on Friday celebrated India's 68th Independence Day.
On the occasion, Banerjee also conferred the chief minister's medal to six police officers, including the city Police Commissioner Surajit Kar Purakayastha.
Also, four top bureaucrats were feted for the "outstanding achievement" by their respective departments.
The departments of tourism, information and cultural affairs, women and social welfare department and labour brought out colourful tableaus as a helicopter showered flower petals.
Apart from these, a tableau of Kanyashree Prakalpa, a flagship project for the girl child which has been represented at the Girls Summit 2014 in Britain, also participated.
After the Trinamool came to power in 2011, Banerjee changed the location of the Independence Day function to Red Road instead of the Writers' Buildings - the state secretariat. She also started the ritual of Independence Day parades.
Governor K.N. Tripathi paid floral tributes to the father of the nation at the Gandhi Ghat in Barrackpore. He also spun the charkha.
Patriotic songs were reverted as the tricolour was unfurled at government offices and education institutions.
Elaborate security arrangements, including setting up of check-posts at strategic locations, have been made in and around the city for the day.
