Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/Justin D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Aug 15: The 78th Independence Day was celebrated here at Nehru Maidan in Mangaluru and in Udupi on Thursday.
District in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao hoisted the national flag and inspected the guard of honour.
The Independence Day was celebrated with patriotic fervour at the Mahatma Gandhi District Stadium in Ajjarkad, Udupi. The flag was hoisted by Lakshmi Hebbalkar, minister of women and child development and Udupi district in-charge minister.
Mangaluru
Udupi
Addressing the gathering, she said, "Independence Day is a sacred remembrance of patriotism in our country. This day gives us an opportunity to honor the sacrifices, struggles, and love for the nation shown by the great leaders who fought for India's independence. Freedom was not easily attained; freedom fighters spent the best years of their lives in prison, fought for their rights, and made the ultimate sacrifice, making it possible for us today. On this day, we must respectfully remember these warriors.
"Mahatma Gandhi's words, which inspired Satyagraha volunteers in Udupi to fight for the nation, continue to inspire us even today. The local leaders who participated in this struggle, though often forgotten, saw our country become independent through their patriotism and sacrifice.
"For the building of modern India, all Indians must work together with mutual trust, cooperation, and the power of unity. Guiding the youth in new technology, science, and other fields is crucial for the bright future of our nation. In recent times, the responsibility to protect the environment has become imperative, as neglecting the generosity of nature can lead to disaster. We must consider the impact of recent rains in our state in this regard. To build a prosperous India, the government has introduced new schemes aimed at the welfare of all sections of society, supporting the weaker sections in particular.
"On this Independence Day, let us all take a pledge for our nation: to protect our freedom and move forward on the path of patriotism," she said.
The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, deputy commissioner Dr K Vidyakumari, district superintendent of police Dr K Arun, zilla panchayat chief executive officer Prateek Boyal, coastal security police superintendent Mithun H N, additional deputy commissioner Mamata Devi, assistant director of the sports department Roshan Shetty, and leaders such as Uday Kumar Shetty and Udupi district Congress president Ashok Kumar Kodavoor.