West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday (August 15, 2026) said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 will be realised through a prosperous West Bengal.

Hoisting the national Tricolour on Independence Day, Mr. Adhikari said West Bengal is the land of nationalism and freedom fighters such as Khudiram Bose and Matangini Hazra.

"The Vikshit Bharat dreams of our Prime Minister by 2047 will be realised through Viksit Paschim Banga by that year," he said.

Describing Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee as the architect of West Bengal, Mr. Adhikari said the State wants to fulfil his dreams.

"Our two luminaries, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Rabindranath Tagore, composed the national song Vande Mataram and the national anthem Jana Gana Mana respectively, which stirred the entire nation," he said.

The Chief Minister who inspected a guard of honour before hoisting the national flag awarded medals to police officers in commendation of their services.

On the 150th year of Vande Mataram, the song was played along with the national anthem.

Amid the parade by Kolkata Police on the occasion, colourful tableaux including one to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee rolled down the Red Road.

Published - August 15, 2026 12:23 pm IST