By IANS,
Palanpur (Gujarat) : The Gujarat government will hold Independence Day celebrations in this north Gujarat town this year.
Panchayat Minister Narottam Patel inaugurated the the 59th Van Mahotsav or forest festival here Friday as part of events and festivals in the run-up to the Aug 15 celebrations.
He said as many as 12 million tree saplings were to be planted across the district during the festival.
In a span of 15 days as many as 343 foundation stone laying ceremonies and 618 inaugurations are set to take place, launching developmental works worth Rs.3.69 billion.
Chief Minister Narendra Modi started the trend of holding official celebrations of national days away from state capital Gandhinagar in order to bring the government closer to the masses.