By Dipchand Bihari
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 22: Students of Orissa Roller Skating Association (ORSA) will participate in the Republic Day Parade for the first time at Lower PMG here Monday.
Around 40 students drawn from different schools in the city will participate in the parade, and are visibly excited to have gotten a chance to display their prowess in front of the who’s who of the state, besides their family and friends.
The students have already commenced preparations at Kalinga Stadium from Tuesday.
“I grew up watching skating on television, and was always interested in giving it a try. My dream came true and now I’ve got an opportunity to participate in the R-Day parade. I’m excited as well as nervous,” said Smita Rani, a schoolgirl who was seen participating at the stadium Thursday morning.
“Learning how to skate was very difficult for me initially. But I didn’t give up and kept persevering until I got the hang of it. Now skating is like second nature to me and I don’t feel nervous at all, but skating in formation might prove to be a tad dicey as I’ve never tried it before. But I’m confident that our group will be able to pull it off,” said Roshan Mahanandia from Govt. Boys’ High School, Unit-VIII.
“We’re organising a line-up of cultural events to mark Republic Day. Only five students from the school are participating in the skating formation in the R-Day parade, as the rest are still a bit hesitant and scared of learning how to skate,” said an official of DAV Public School.
Cultural competitions, quiz contests, and skits will be held at several schools, winners of which will be awarded on R-Day.
Children who have displayed acts of bravery will be awarded with bravery awards on Republic Day in honour of their selfless acts.
