The Telegraph

Kalimpong, July 30: The Janmukti Secondary Teachers’ Organisation has suggested putting an end to certain traditions that have come to be associated with the Independence Day celebration here, including unnecessary holidays for schools — often extending to more than two days — after the event.

In a letter to the Independence Day Celebration Committee secretary Pranay Mani Shilal, the Kalimpong unit of the organisation said this was necessary in the interest of education and society at large.

“The Independence Day celebration should be a one-day affair as opposed to the past practice of extended holidays,” said Bhisan Roka, the publicity secretary of the teachers’ body.

Kalimpong celebrates August 15 on a grand scale with programmes at times spilling over to the next few days.

The festivity even draws people from outside the subdivision. Many believe that often these programmes hamper the studies of the schoolchildren.

“Declaration of unnecessary holidays should also be done away with and schools be allowed to resume normal classes (after August 15),” said Roka.

The organisation said the marching contingents from the different institutions should be asked to take part in their respective school uniforms since it becomes a burden for parents to buy one set of dress just for a single day.

According to another organisation suggestion, marchers should be allowed to sit and not forced to listen through the long-winding speeches of political leaders while standing under the sun.

“It will also help if the dignitaries restrict themselves to short speeches,” added Roka.