15-km long tricolour drapes Raipur

RAIPUR: Four days ahead of Independence Day, a large number of people came together in the state capital to unfurl a record-breaking 15-kilometer long tricolour. Being described as the longest tricolour tribute to the country, the flag covered the areas of Amapara square to Pt Ravishankar Shukla University campus.
The unveiling of the 15km long tricolour was registered in the Champion Books of World Records and Bravo International Book of World Record while Limca Book of World Records has also taken the feat into consideration and will give a provisional certificate soon.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam Foundation, a city-based social organisation, along with 40 other organisations and scores of people, undertook the flag hoisting event. A human chain was formed for the unveiling of the tricolour, wherein around 12,000 people stood in queue and held the tricolour from Amapara Chowk till Pt Ravi Shankar Shukla University campus. Later, a procession was also taken out in which a tableau of Chandrayan-2 was also displayed.
Meanwhile, the state capital's Bengali community performed aarti of the national flag whereas people from Sikh community performed gatka - a form of Indian martial art. Physically-handicapped persons and school students performed a cultural programme based on patriotic songs.
Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, former chief ministers Ajit Jogi and Raman Singh were the chief guests. During the programme, around 40 families of martyrs were honoured by chief minister Bhupesh Baghel with shawls and mementos on the occasion.
Incidentally, a 12km long Indian flag was hoisted in Indore on August 12 last year.