15th August at DMET: A Morning Painted in Patriotism
- DMET Cadets
- Aug 14
- 4 min read
The dawn of 15th August at the Indian Maritime University Kolkata Campus, erstwhile DMET, always feels different. The air is the same as yesterday’s, yet somehow it carries more meaning, more pride, more history. It’s as if the campus itself stands taller, its walls silently echoing the stories of freedom, sacrifice, and the spirit of a nation that broke its chains seventy-nine years ago.
Independence Day in India is not just a date; it’s a reminder. A reminder of that midnight in 1947 when the Indian Independence Act came into effect, transferring legislative sovereignty to the Indian Constituent Assembly. A reminder of Jawaharlal Nehru raising the tricolour above the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort for the first time, his words a “tryst with destiny” for a newly born nation. It’s a reminder of countless freedom fighters whose names may never be in our textbooks, yet whose sacrifices still live on in every flutter of our flag.
The Gathering at the Gate
At DMET, the day begins with a sea of crisp white uniforms converging near the main entrance. This is where the tall flagpole stands, a silent sentinel awaiting the morning’s salute. The College Band, dressed in immaculate whites, tunes their instruments for one final sound check. Brass glints under the soft morning sun, drums stand poised, and the air hums with a quiet anticipation.
The moment arrives. Our Campus Director, Rear Admiral Amit Bose Sir, VSM (Retd.), is escorted to the dais by the Pilots. The Parade Commander steps forward with precision and delivers the first command. The Sainyayatris, our prestigious parade contingent, move into action. Their formation is flawless, their steps perfectly in sync, as if they march to the very heartbeat of the nation.
The Flag Ascends
Then comes the moment that ties us to every Independence Day that has come before i.e. the hoisting of the tricolour. As the rope pulls upward, the saffron, white, and green unfurl against the clear blue sky. The gentle morning breeze catches it instantly, making it dance in pride.
The College Band strikes the first note of the National Anthem, and the sound is pure, unbroken perfection. Voices join in, strong and united, filling the campus with a harmony that feels larger than all of us. At that moment, every cadet, every faculty member, every staff present knows exactly what it means to belong to this country.
Words That Inspire
Following the anthem, Rear Admiral Amit Bose Sir (Retd.) addresses the gathering. His voice is calm yet commanding, carrying a weight that only years of service can give. He speaks of India, not just as a nation, but as a responsibility. Of freedom, not as something given, but something earned and maintained. And of unity, not as a choice, but as our strength. His words leave us reflective, but also charged with purpose.
The March Past
And then, the Sainyayatris take over. Their parade sweeps across the campus like a moving portrait of discipline and dedication. For a few moments, the scene feels like a miniature Red Fort celebration with each step echoing pride, each turn a salute to the generations who made this day possible.
All around, the campus is alive with colour. Flags of all our Sadans namely Bose, Diesel, Edison, Faraday, Froude, Marconi, Newton, Parson, Raman, and Rankine flutter in friendly rivalry. The Indian National Flag and the Navy Flag stand tall atop the main building, already waving as if cheering on the cadets below.
The Final Salute
Once the march past concludes, the Bands Contingent, Pilots, and Parade Commander escort the Director to his bungalow. Here, the tricolour is hoisted once more in a quieter but equally dignified moment of respect. This act marks the formal end of the day’s ceremonial proceedings.
But the spirit of celebration doesn’t end there. Usually, the cultural heartbeat of our college, ENIGMA, the Cultural Committee, takes over the following day, hosting an Independence Day programme. That day then transforms into a tapestry of performances: soulful patriotic songs, stirring poetry recitals, high-energy dances, and rousing band pieces, all woven together by the same thread; the thread of love for the motherland: Our India, My India.
A Day That Lingers
By the time the sun sets, the campus slowly returns to its usual rhythm. Yet, the feeling lingers like a quiet pride, a subtle reminder that beyond our maritime training, beyond the boundaries of campus life, we are part of something far greater than any one of Us.
At DMET, 15th August is not just celebrated, rather it’s lived. It’s felt in every drumbeat, in every synchronized step, in every note of the anthem. And as the flag flutters high above us, we are reminded that, like the sea we are destined to sail, freedom too must be guarded, respected, and carried forward for generations to come.
