<span style="color: black;">75th Independence Day is being celebrated with gaiety and patriotic fervour across Sikkim today. The state level programme was held at Manan Kendra, Gangtok, where chief minister PS Tamang unfurled the national flag and received the guard of honour.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">AIR correspondent reports that speaking on the occasion, Mr Tamang said that eradicating poverty, corruption, illiteracy and superstitions will be a true homage to freedom fighters on this Independence Day. He said that development was unhindered during the pandemic, especially in sectors like health, agriculture and defence. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government for ramping up health infrastructure rapidly to help the states fight the pandemic. He said that Sikkim became an example for controlling COVID19 during the first wave of the pandemic, which was appreciated by all. He congratulated citizens, and health personnel for their role during the pandemic.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">Mr Tamang also thanked the central government for providing free vaccines. He highlighted works completed during the pandemic in the health sector such as setting up COVID19 hospitals, dialysis centers and a cancer treatment center; appointing superspeciality and other medical staff; and upgradation of medical infrastructure. Mr Tamang also launched the Sikkim Urban Garib Awaas Yojana worth Rs 156.87 crores and presented state meritorious service awards. In South Sikkim, Fit India Freedom Run 2.0 was organized in Namchi under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav while the occasion was also celebrated in Pakyong Sub-Division, where State Health Minister Dr MK Sharma hoisted the National Flag. The occasion was also celebrated in West and North Sikkim.</span>