Pics: Umesh Marpalli / Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 26: The 68th Republic Day was celebrated by the Udupi district administration with cultural pomp and spirit at Mahatma Gandhi Bayalu Ranga Mandir, Beedinagudde here on Thursday January 26.
District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj hoisted the Tricolour and received the guard of honour.
Udupi
Kundapur
Addressing the gathering, Madhwaraj said, "The word 'Republic' gets true meaning only when the four principles of justice, equality, freedom and brotherhood enshrined in the Indian Constitution are executed properly. It is our duty to remember social reformer Dr B R Ambedkar on this occasion.
"Nearly 2,997 beneficiaries have been selected for getting gas stoves under the central scheme 'Ujwala'. Rs 63 crore has been utilized under Anna Bhagyas cheme.
"A grant of Rs 98 lac has been sanctioned by the tourism department for the unemployed from SC/ST/ OBC/minoritiy communities for procuring tourist taxis. It will help them to stand their own feet.
"Rs 11.39 crore has been sanctioned by the social welfare department for the welfare of the Scheduled Caste community. RTCs have been distributed to 529 beneficiaries on 699.62 acres of land under the Forest Rights Act," he said.
"Under Bidayi project, Rs 1.12 crore has been released for 224 beneficiaries from the minorities department in 2016-17. Rs 50 lac has been released for the district for constructing two Shadi Mahal halls. Rs 61 lac has been released in the first phase for the construction of D Devraj Urs auditorium in Karkala taluk
"Work on two-tonne capacity Biomethanation Plant will be completed under 'waste to energy' project. Rs 2 crore of additional funds have released for the construction of Windrow composting yard unit at Karvalu in Alevoor.
"Rs 60 crore has been released to the district for the developmental works of the third phase of Nagarothana project. Rs 2 crore (Rs 40 lac for each constituency) has been releaed for the district under emergency water supply project and instruction have been to the officials concerned. Rs 10 crore has been sanctioned for the district under Suvarna Gramodaya project for the development of villages.
"During 2016-17, the aim is to construct 3,045 houses under Basava Vasati project and the process to identify beneficiaries has already been taken up by the department," Madhwaraj said.
"The government has released Rs 1.69 crore to build Farmer Communication Centers at five places in the district. Grants of Rs 2 crore and Rs 2.80 crore have been released for the construction of jetty at Alivegadde and Kalmady Bobbarya Pade, respectively. Rs 80 lac has been approved for bridge construction at Hejamadi Nadipatna," he added.
The minister urged the public and the political representatives to support the initiatives taken by the government.
Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, president of Udupi City Municipal Council, T Venkatesh, deputy commissioner, K T Balakrishna Shetty, superintendent of police, Priyanka Mary Francis, ZP CEO, Narasimha Murthy, president, Udupi Urban Development Authority, Dinakar Babu, president, zilla panchayat, Udupi, Nalini Pradeep Rao, president of Udupi taluk panchayat and others were present.
Around 15 teams participated in the march-past, led by commander Raghavendra R of district armed reserve police. School children showcased their skills with colourful cultural performances.
Several achievers were recognized and felicitated on the auspicious occasion for their achievements in various fields such as social service, education, sports, literature and others.