Enthralling: Schoolchildren performing at the Independence Day celebrations. (Below) A tableau depicting smart city and clean Visakha at the parade | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam A spirit of patriotism and festivity prevailed as students of various schools performed dances and skits at the 71st Independence Day celebrations at the Police Parade Ground here on Tuesday. The girls of Sacred Heart High School, Gnanapuram, enthralled the gathering with their lively dance to the Hindi song ‘Desh mera rangeela’. Dressed in saffron, white and green, the children struck a chord among the audience with the rhythmic steps. The presentation on ‘Swachh Bharath’, by children of PEN High School, was a big draw. Cynosure of all eyes The role played by two boys as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu caught the attention of the gathering. The boy, who donned the role of Mr. Naidu, fitted his role perfectly with his beard and mannerisms. ‘Maa Thuje Salaam’ by GVMC High School, Malkapuram, children and ‘Jayaho…Jayaho’ by GVMC, Madhurawada, and ‘Paduduma swetcha geetham’ by children of Vijayam High School, Madhurawada, were the other presentations. The tableaux, depicting the progress made by various government departments, were another highlight of the celebrations. The tableau by Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) was the most impressive with models depicting the metro rail, Smart Visakha and Swachh Visakha with a mention of the city’s ranking among the top cities in the country. The Housing Department tableau with models of a tiled house and an RCC slab house with some beneficiaries in them and the DRDA tableau showcasing the Etikoppaka toys and basket weaving were impressive at the parade.

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