Chandigarh, Aug 15 (IANS) Independence Day was celebrated Saturday in Punjab and Haryana and their common capital Chandigarh with the enthusiastic participation of the local people.
The Chandigarh administrator, Gen. (retd) S.F. Rodrigues, unfurled the national flag at the Parade Ground and took the salute at a march past. Personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the Punjab Armed Police, the Haryana Armed Police, Chandigarh Police and the NCC participated in the parade.

Students in traditional dresses performed on patriotic songs to mark the ocassion. Light morning showers made the weather lively and pleasant.

Rodrigues also honoured shooter Abhinav Bindra’s coach Jagir Singh Dhillon. Bindra had won India’s first individual Olympic gold medal at Beijing last year.

In Punjab, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal unfurled the national flag at Ferozepur city, some 300 km from here. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal hoisted the flag in the industrial city of Ludhiana.

In neighbouring Haryana, Governor Jagannath Pahadia unfurled the national flag at Rohtak town while Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda hoisted it in Sonipat town.