LUCKNOW, Aug. 17 -- Several events marked the 80th Independence Day celebrations in Lucknow on Saturday. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath hoisted the National Tricolour in front of the Vidhan Bhavan and extended greetings to the people of the state.

The programme started at around 9:15 a.m. with students of Bhatkhande Sangeet University rendering the Vande Mataram. Thereafter, the 32nd Battalion PAC, 35th Battalion PAC, and the Military Band enhanced the dignity of the Independence Day celebrations through disciplined and impressive performances. When the CM released tricolour balloons into the sky, the atmosphere filled with chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".

Special cultural programmes were presented by the department of culture centred on...