City turns patriotic with chants, colours & conch shells

Time of India

3 days ago

1
2
Patna: A wave of patriotic passion swept through Patna on Thursday evening as
PM Narendra Modi
led a spectacular roadshow following the inauguration of the new terminal building at Patna airport and the laying of the foundation stone for the civil enclave at Bihta.
The city's streets transformed into a canvas of national pride, draped in saffron banners, tri-colour flags and striking artistic tributes to '
Operation Sindoor
'. The 6-km procession route – from Aranya Bhawan near Patna Airport to the state BJP headquarters on Beerchand Patel Path – was dotted with 32 decorative stages and canopies, showcasing vibrant folk art, cultural performances and symbolic tributes to the military's recent response to Pahalgam terror attack.
Undeterred by the sweltering heat, thousands thronged both sides of the route, waving flags and chanting with fervour. Many clambered onto rooftops for a glimpse of the PM while others captured the moment with selfies. Cries of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", "PM Narendra Modi Zindabad", and "Desh Ki Sena Zindabad" echoed in the air as flower petals rained down on the passing cavalcade.
The PM stood in the front seat of his vehicle, waving to the jubilant crowds throughout the 70-minute journey, which passed through Sheikhpura Mor, Nehru Path, IPS Mess Mor, Hartali Mor, Patna high court and the Income-Tax roundabout.
The finale at the state BJP office was marked by a grand display of lights and flowers. It was not just infrastructure worth Rs 50,000 crore that was being celebrated, but also a tribute to the might of the
Indian Army
and the empowerment of women through the lens of Nari Shakti in Operation Sindoor. Replicas of BrahMos missiles stood proudly across the city. Women in red saris and vermillion welcomed the PM at multiple intersections.
The scenes along the way were vivid and moving – a woman on a balcony blew a conch shell; a man in spectacles and a mustard kurta performed aarti as Modi's convoy passed; children dressed in army uniforms stood tall on stage near Patna Women's College, flanked by posters of Rafale jets and the two women leaders of Op Sindoor. Another stage featured a girl dressed as Bharat Mata while near Sheikhpura Mor, women in yellow saris performed a traditional cultural show.
Manish Kumar Sinha, who came from Jagdishpur in Bhojpur with a band of drummers, said, "We welcomed the PM to the beats of the drum. I came only to get a glimpse of the PM and thank him for his befitting reply to Pakistan in Op Sindoor."
Rani Devi, a resident of China Kotti who waited for two hours, said, "I am feeling elated. It is the second time I saw the PM after his roadshow in May last year. He waved at me."