
Over 18,000 citizens have registered for Freedom Habba, Bengaluru's first Independence Day carnival at Vidhana Soudha on August 15. Entry is only through prior registration with a QR code; no on-spot entry…
Over 18,000 citizens have registered for Freedom Habba, Bengaluru's first Independence Day carnival at Vidhana Soudha on August 15. Entry is only through prior registration with a QR code; no on-spot entry allowed. Children under 12 may enter with a registered parent.
The event runs from 12 pm to 5 pm, with entry allowed only until 2 pm. Dress code is ethnic, and attendees must carry original Aadhaar for verification. Vidhana Soudha metro station will be closed from 10 am to 9:30 pm. Traffic will be restricted on Ambedkar Veedhi from 11 am.
Freedom Habba is a welcome step to make Independence Day a public celebration, but the strict registration and security suggest a controlled affair. Critics may call it a government show, yet involving citizens in national festivals is positive. The real test will be whether such events reach other cities and whether the online registration excludes those without digital access. Will the government ensure future editions are truly open to all?
Source: thefederal.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.