AAP government to celebrate Independence Day as three-day 'Swaraj Parv' in Delhi

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Monday announced that it would celebrate Independence Day as 'Swaraj Parv' with a three-day grand cultural programme planned in Connaught Place.

Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, whose department is organising the function from August 14 to August 16, said Swaraj Parv will include 'Hindi Kavi Sammelan', 'Urdu Mushaira', performance by 12 Indian bands and artists, qawwali show and musical drama.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will also take part in the three-day celebration and address a gathering at the park on August 15.

Mishra said that no pass will be required to attend the function.

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung will inaugurate the event, which will be followed by a Hindi Kavi Sammelan, which will see participation of the country's top poets.

A senior official said the government has sought permission from Delhi Police to organise the programme in Connaught Place.

According to the minister, all events that used to be conducted by Delhi Government's different departments in their silos in Delhi's remote locations have been centralised and made part of one umbrella event - Swaraj Parv.

"We want to bring art, culture and heritage to the masses. This is the reason that all the language academies, Sahitya Kala Parishad and Delhi Tourism have combined their synergies to make Swaraj Parv, an event that Delhi's citizens will cherish and remember.

"This is only the first instance of Delhi Government's plan to transform the state of tourism, art and culture in Delhi. Come! Celebrate Independence Day with Delhi Government," Mishra said.

"Swaraj Parv will end with a tribute to our beloved former President A P J Abdul Kalam with an evening of Urdu poetry titled 'Shaam-e-Kalaam'," he added.

Delhi Government has invited many young, promising and contemporary Indian rock bands to perform for Swaraj Parv and these include 'Swarathma', 'Faridkot', 'Revisit Project', 'Rangrez', 'Raagleela', 'Sould Out', 'Parvaaz', 'Ankur' and 'The Ghalat Family', 'Delhi Indie Project', 'Astitva' and 'Lakshya-Ayush'.