Mamatha Banarjee has gone against the popular tradition that had been practiced since 1948, but for good reasons. The Independence Day celebrations in Kolkata usually take place in the Writers' Building which is the government headquarters. These celebrations are not generally accessible to the public except for a group of elites and top bureaucrats. This year, Mamatha sticking to her promises of "poriborton" or change in West Bengal, had moved the celebrations to the Red Road which is located in the heart of the city, near Eden Gardens, Victoria Memorial. This is generally where people come in thousands to watch the Republic Day celebrations and watch the parade.

Also, the Independence Day celebrations are not as cheerful as the Republic Day's since the ceremony included only a drab hoisting of the tricolor. Mamatha had called for a full fledged rich Independence Day celebrations along with a police parade and tableaux. City and state police, members of civil society, social organisations and school children, participated in the march past.

Subrata Mukherjee said that the Independence Day celebrations would now be filled with people just like the Republic Day. He added that the government now will honor I-day like the Republic Day, marking a great change, this year.

(AW- Anil)