Kabulis celebrate Independence Day with patriotic zeal

KABUL (Pajhwok): The residents of capital Kabul on Thursday celebrated the country’s 97^th Independence Day with patriotic zeal and enthusiasm by arranging special events and programmes.

Most parts of the capital were decorated with national flags and its tri-colours. National flags and pictures of Ghazi Amanullah Khan were seen pasted on vehicles and shops across the capital and national anthem was heard everywhere.

A Pajhwok reporter visited different sites of the capital, including Taimani, Shar-i-Naw, Kart-i-Naw and Deh Afghanan, observing extra-ordinary arrangements made in connection with the celebration of the Independence Day.

Waisuddin, 23, a Kabul resident, who has painted the Afghanistan flag on his check and pasted Amanullah Khan’s portraits on his clothes, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “Today we are celebrating our national pride, heroism and it is a happy day for all of us. Congratulation to all Afghans on this day.”

Waving the national flag in his hand, the 23-year-old asked the government to do everything possible for lasting peace and stability in the country so that the Afghans could celebrate national events in peaceful environment.

He and his friends chanted “long live Afghanistan”, “We are proud of Amanullah Khan” and “Happy Independence Day.” They had installed loudspeakers on their car, playing national songs.

Ghulam Sarwar, 53, a resident of old Kabul city, who has been a taxi driver for the past 27 years, said Amanullah Khan was an independent king and founder of the modern government system.

In the past, he said people even from northern provinces would stream into Kabul on foot to mark the Independence Day. “In the good old days, there were fewer cars and the enthusiastic Afghans would walk for a week or two to reach the capital.”

People from other provinces would sleep in Chaman-i-Hazoori before and after celebrating Independence Day. They would set up bonfires and throw splendid parties, Sarwar recalled.

About makeshift arrangements enabling artists and artisans to display their masterpieces, he said there were no hotels at that time. Artists would erect tents at ministries to display their works, he remembered.

Besides Kabul, Independence Day is being celebrated across the country, with officials and experts shedding light on the struggle and efforts of national heroes who won freedom and independence for Afghanistan.

nh/ma

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