WB to Mark Partition Remembrance With Candle Marches

The West Bengal government has directed all district administrations to organise special programmes on August 13 and 14 to observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, commemorating the suffering, sacrifices and resilience of people affected by the Partition of India in 1947.

In a letter issued by the Information & Cultural Affairs Department,all District Magistrates were asked to make necessary arrangements in coordination with concerned departments and local stakeholders.

As part of the observance, a candle march will be held at an appropriate venue at each district headquarters on the evening of August 14. Government officials, students, representatives of educational and cultural institutions, and members of the public are expected to participate.

District administrations have also been directed to organise exhibitions highlighting the history of Partition and its humanitarian impact. The exhibitions will feature stories of resilience, archival photographs and historical documents to raise public awareness about the events and their consequences. School students will be encouraged to visit the exhibitions.

Documentary films highlighting the significance of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day will also be screened. The documentaries are expected to be provided by the Union Ministry of Culture.

The state government has instructed district administrations to coordinate with relevant line departments to ensure proper arrangements for all programmes. Each district will receive an allocation of Rs 30,000 for organising the observance.

Partition Horrors Remembrance Day is observed nationally on August 14 to remember those who suffered displacement, violence and loss during the Partition of India. The observance was announced in 2021 and has been marked annually since then.