Flags, lights and stalls add to patriotic fervour in Patna | Patna News

Patna: The capital city has transformed into a canvas of saffron, white and green as it counts down to the 77th Republic Day. The tricolour has taken over areas such as Boring Road and Gandhi Maidan. Stalls have come up along the pavements of Nehru Path, overflowing with symbols of the nation. Flags of all sizes flutter from bamboo poles and shop awnings while golambers across the city glow under tricolour lights.Innovation blends with tradition at street corners. Tricoloured pinwheels, a new addition this season, spin in the breeze and are designed with clamps for bike handlebars and car mirrors. Wristbands featuring 3D textures are wrapped around the hands of students and shoppers.“I bought these tricolour bangles, which cost Rs 100, and a hairband that cost Rs 40, for my daughter’s dance performance in our housing complex,” said Sunita Kumari at a stall near Boring Road Chauraha.Miniature flags for dashboards and lapel pins featuring the Ashoka Chakra occupy almost every inch of display space. Anil, a seller in front of Patna Women’s College, said, “I sourced these items from Delhi, and the response is great, like every year. Everything will be sold out by Sunday.”A student at the stall, while examining the 3D wristbands, said, “These new designs attract the youth more than the traditional flags and cloth bands. My friends and I also want to buy ‘tiranga’ dupattas,” she added.Alok Tiwari, who works with a security agency, was also seen buying tricoloured plastic garlands. He said, “For the last two years, I was given the duty of decorating the office for the flag hoisting ceremony. I am planning to wrap the garlands around the bamboo poles, and I plan to buy the buntings to decorate the rest of the office.”