AGARTALA, Jan 25 (TIWN): Ahead of 69th Republic Day celebrations, troops of the Border Security Force (BSF), stationed along the India-Bangladesh border at Akhaura exchanged sweets with their Bangladeshi counterpart as a gesture of good will.

Commandant of the BSF exchanged sweets with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) official as a part of celebration on the occasion of 69th Republic day.

 As Tripura is celebrating 69th Republic Day, on this happy occasion BSF have given sweets to the border guards of friendly neighbour Bangladesh at the Agartala check post.  This is also done to boost the bonding between the BSF and BGB.

However, the gesture was equally reciprocated by BGB officials and jawans. To enhance bilateral relations, exchange of sweets between the two countries along the border is an old and traditional gesture to show goodwill between the two nations and has been in practice for many years now.

Apart from Republic Day, BSF and BGB exchange sweets and greetings during various festivals like Diwali, Eid, Holi, Independence Day.

The Aukhaura check post was decorated with national flag the occasion of the grand celebrations of Republic Day.

Though India became a free nation on August 15, 1947, it declared itself a Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state with the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950.

It is to be mentioned here that Republic Day is India's great national festival. The constitution of India has been into effect since January 26, 1950, a date celebrated annually as Republic Day in India. It is celebrated every year on January 26, in New Delhi with great pomp and pageant and in capitals of the States, as well as at other headquarters and important places with patriotic fervour. The whole nation comes together every year on January 26 to salute the sacrifices and struggles of freedom activists and those who participated in building India's constitution.