MEERUT: Hundreds of students from more than 50 schools and colleges, along with members of civic organisations and social workers, participated in the ‘Akhand Bharat Swatantrata Diwas Mahaparv-2026’, organised at Kailash Prakash Stadium in Meerut on Wednesday.The event was jointly organised by Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Bharat Vikas Parishad, the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birthday Celebration Committee, Meerut, Krida Bharati, Rashtriya Sainik Sanstha and other social organisations. It aimed to commemorate the contributions of freedom fighters and promote national unity, patriotism and cultural pride among the younger generation.Retired Lieutenant R Madhavan Pillai of the Indian National Army (INA), who was the chief guest, hoisted the national flag to inaugurate the programme. Despite being over 100 years old, Pillai addressed the gathering with enthusiasm and sang the INA’s iconic song, ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’. He urged citizens to honour the sacrifices of freedom fighters, protect the country’s unity and integrity, respect women and make cleanliness an integral part of their lives.Subharti Group founder Dr Atul Krishna, the initiator of the event, said October 21 should be recognised as India’s Independence Day. He pointed out that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had established the Provisional Government of Free India on October 21, 1943, and declared India’s sovereignty. He urged the Union government to consider officially recognising the date as Independence Day, saying the INA’s contributions and sacrifices deserved greater recognition in the country’s collective memory.Historian Prof Kapil Kumar, retired Colonel Tejendra Pal Tyagi, a Vir Chakra awardee, and Swami Vivekanand Subharti University chief executive officer Prof (Dr) Shalya Raj were among the prominent attendees.Following the programme, a large patriotic rally was taken out from Kailash Prakash Stadium. It passed through Ambedkar Tiraha, Eastern Court Road, Chandrashekhar Azad Chowk and the western entrance of the court complex before reaching Netaji Chowk, outside Meerut College. The procession then passed the divisional commissioner’s office before returning to the stadium.At Netaji Chowk, dignitaries, along with Dr Atul Krishna, received the rally.The rally paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle and called for the preservation of India’s unity, integrity and historical heritage.