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Jubilant crowds celebrated historic exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh which happened at midnight, on July 31, 2015, enclaves ending nearly four decades old deadlock. As the clock struck one minute past midnight, thousands of people erupted in cheers of celebration for their new citizenship.

"We have been in darkness for 68 years," said Russel Khandaker, 20, as he danced with friends in the Dashiar Chhara enclave, which belonged to India, but has now become part of Bangladesh. "We've finally seen the light," he told.

"This is the biggest celebration of my life. I can't describe how I feel today," said Parul Khatun, 35, a resident of the Indian enclave of Kot Bajni.

Prodeep Kumar Barman sang a devotional song praising Lord Krishna as he led his troupe near a temple at the main bazaar in Dashiar Chhara, singing: "Oh what a joy, what a joy!"  

At the stroke of midnight on 31st July 2015, 50 Bangladeshi enclaves in Indian territory, turned into Indian land with an Indian pin code. Altogether 14,856 residents of these enclaves became Indian citizens, putting an end to an agony that started in 1947 with the Partition.

As many as 37,369 Indian enclave dwellers live in Bangladesh, while 14,856 people reside in Bangladeshi enclaves in India. On Friday midnight, India transferred 17,158 acres to Bangladesh, and in turn received 7,110 acres.

"We have achieved the dream that did not let us sleep all these years," said Diptiman Sengupta, chief coordinator of Bharat Bangladesh Enclave Exchange Coordination Committee.

By Premji