Beds are stacked on the trolley of a bright blue tractor, the engine sputters to life and Punjabi music flows out of loudspeakers, its beats drowning out last-minute farewells, as a group of farmers break away from the huddle and get on to the tractor, leaving the Singhu border one last time on Saturday morning.
Over one year ago, these farmers from Punjab's Patiala district left their homes in a rage. They return on Saturday with a feeling of victory, with the farm laws repealed by the government.
Govinder Singh (54), a former ASI posted in the BSF, stands awestruck, almost continuously for over five hours, unmindful of the cold wind, gazing at the kaleidoscope of colours that greet his tractor as it moves through a sea of people decked up in glimmering dresses in hues red, green and pink, showering him and the others with flowers.
Govinder says he has never before attended a parade in his life. “In fact, on Republic Day, my tractor was stopped by police during the farmers' rally. Today I am finally part of a parade. I think they will remember this parade for years to come,” he says.
The farmers victory parade from #Singhu to Punjab. pic.twitter.com/i5HnnUSAwi
— Anand Mohan (@mohanreports) December 11, 2021
The farmers are marching in this parade to the beat of giant drums that keep up vigorously with the bhangra music from loudspeakers. Someone keeps breaking into a dance, adding to the sense of carnival on their journey home to Punjab.
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