Mangalore: Vibrant celebrations mark Independence Day in city

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)

Mangalore, Aug 15: The 67th Independence Day was celebrated with much joy and zeal at Nehru Maidan here on Thursday August 15.

The celebrations began with the hoisting of the Tricolour by district incharge minister Ramanath Rai. He then received the guard of honour.

In his address, Ramanath Rai recalled the sacrifices of freedom fighters and said that it is the duty of every individual to respect and protect this freedom. "Other countries used to look down upon us decades ago, but now they are astonished by the progress we have made.

"Karnataka has made noteworthy progress in terms of rural development and provision of amenities like drinking water. Still, it is the duty of our government to ensure that there is equality in development and see to it that people's needs are fulfilled. Our government aims to ensure individual freedom by providing housing, clean drinking water, good roads, healthcare, security, good education, and law and order to every person," he said.

"The state government has completed 100 days in power. We have launched the schemes and programmes promised in the party manifesto at the time of elections. The government has brought into force people-friendly programmes in the last two-and-a-half months. This way, we will make Karnataka a model state and bring it to the top position in terms of development," he added.

He also listed out a number of development projects that have been undertaken by the government.

"The Anna Bhagya programme launched in July was implemented with the intention of helping the economically poor. The scheme has received wide appreciation. Officials have been directed to implement this programme very strictly and use better quality rice. Proper arrangements have been made to store the rice. In Dakshina Kannada there are 511 fair price shops in all. This programme will be benefit 21,079 antyodaya and 1,79,293 BPL card holders," he said.

"Our government has also introduced the mid-day meal programme. The government has also introduced a new programme called Ksheera Bhagya wherein we are providing 150 ml of milk to 1.2 crore children from 1 to 10 standard and anganavadis three days a week. The milk is given on Monday, Wednesday and Friday to 51,000 government school children and 64,000 anganvadi children along with free sugar," he added.

"It is the aspiration of the government to make Karnataka free from huts. The government has also planned to construct 3 lac houses every year. After the 2013-14 financial year the subsidy for constructing a house has been raised to Rs 1,20,000. This is applicable to Basava Vasati Yojane, Ambedkar Vasati Yojane and Vajapai Nagara Vasati Yojane and Indira Awaz Yojana.   

"The electricity bills under Bhagya Jyothi and Kuteera Jyothi scheme, including the fine, have been waived. If electricity has been disconnected, it will be supplied again as usual. Beneficiaries under this project will be provided free electricity supply up till 18 units. Altogether, Rs 286 crore worth of electricity bill has been waived," Rai said.

New project ‘Manaswi’ was introduced to provide Rs 500 per month to unmarried women below poverty line. The government has also introduced a new programme 'Maitri' for sexual minorities with a pension of Rs 500.

The government has also introduced minority cells at taluk and district levels to support the minority community. For the marriage of minority community girls, financial assistance is provided, he said.

He also explained that the government has given importance to agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and for irrigation and also compensation for farmers affected by natural calamities.
 
Speaking on Mangalore particularly, Rai said, "In this budget more importance has been give to Dakshina Kannada. In Mangalore Abdul Nazir Sahib Rural Development regional training institute will be established. Police Public Model School will be established. Rs 2 crore has been reserved to establish chair in research on social worker Sri Narayana Guru in Mangalore University. A chair on Jain poet Rathnakaravarni will be set up In Mangalore University research center. To develop the Koti-Chennayya birth place in Enmoor Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned."

The Government has also sanctioned various programmes for the betterment of SC/ST communities and given importance and sanctioned funds for various programme in road development, forest, environment and ccology.

Government has also given importance electricity generation to establish industrial-friendly state and transport system, he added.

The celebration also saw a colourful march past by a number of bands and teams. Police bands including DAR KSRP, civil police, traffic police, women police, home guards, fire and safety personnel, NCC army, NCC naval, NCC air wing, Dobberman security, scouts, guides, road safety patrol girls and boys, Bala Seva Dal girls and boys and Satya Sai music band, Alape participated in the march past.

MLA J R Lobo distributed smart cards on the occasion.

Nesar Poojary of Yenepoya School, who has achieved several feats in the game of chess, karate, music and other activities, was honoured on the occasion. Dinesh Kumar, who was leading the police band for the 40th year, was also felicitated.

In the march past, the NCC air wing (senior) won the first place while the second prize went to Satya Sai music band.

Independence Day Cup cricket tourney was also organized on the occasion.

A special attraction was an aerial view show through a mini helicopter fitted with a camera, arranged by Sky View.

DC N Prakash, IGP Pratap Reddy, ZP CEO Tulasi Maddideni, SP Abhishek Goyal, police commissioner Manish Karbikar, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLC Monappa Bhandary, Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, Sadanand Shetty, and others were present.