THANE: From singing patriotic songs, holding flag hoisting ceremonies, holding talks for the children on the significance of Independence Day, several city-based residential complexes came together to celebrate the 72nd Independence Day on Wednesday.The day began with the radio channels playing patriotic songs and the members of the housing complexes gathering to hoist the tri-colour in the compound. The youngsters were seen in their traditional best holding placards, banners inscribed with messages related to their love for India.Guardian minister Eknath Shinde hoisted the national flag at the district collectorate in the presence of police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, district collector Rajesh Narvekar among others dignitaries.Madhu Menon, President of Hiranandani Estate Resident Welfare Association said, “Our association comprises of 102 societies. Every society had their own flag hoisting ceremony as per their time and convenience. We visited Siddheshwar school in the morning and gave a lecture to the kids on the significance of August 15. Later, the kids also joined in the activity and came forward with a few speeches that they had prepared for Independence day.” Some environmentally conscious denizens gave an eco-twist to the celebrations here and took the opportunity to remind people that we need to tackle certain issues that can potentially harm the environment.“Our society wants to take part in the anti-plastic drive and make the complex plastic free for which we have been working with a couple of NGOs. Since it was a holiday, after the flag hoisting ceremony, we decided to call a guest speaker to talk about the need to dispose off plastic in a decent and proper way. We chose this day to attract more people as merely putting up notices on the board was not helping us much,” said Harsha Pongurlekar, a resident of Pokhran Road No.1.Even the tiny tots observed the day in school on Tuesday dressed up as eminent personalities who fought for independence of our country. The Guardian Minister, Eknath Shinde hoisted the flag in presence of the police.

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