In Punjab also Independence Day was celebrated today with full fervour and gaiety. The state-level function took place in Patiala city where Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hoisted the tricolor while state cabinet ministers hoisted the flag at functions held at various district headquarters. The Border Security Force, which plays the role of the first guard in the security line of the International Border with Pakistan in the state, also celebrated Independence Day with fervour at several places including Atari, Hussainiwala and Fazilka International Check Posts. A report from our Jalandhar correspondent:

Border Security Force personnel at Atari in Amritsar, Hussainiwala in Ferozpur and Sadki border outposts in Fazilka celebrated Independence Day with full fervour. The Director General of the BSF Nitin Agrawal specially arrived at Hussainiwala Border Outpost to encourage the jawans and dedicated a memorial to the nation built in memory of the martyrs of the Indo-Pak war of 1965 and 1971. Meanwhile, sweets were exchanged between Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers on Zero Line at Atari Joint Check Post in Amritsar district and Sadki border post in Fazilka district. This tradition of exchanging sweets on religious festivals and national festivals has been going on for decades and has been practiced even today.