Bengaluru, Aug 15 (IANS): Japan's leading camera maker Canon celebrated India's 69th year of independence a day earlier -- with rural kids in a nearby village that its subsidiary had adopted.

Chief Executive Kazutada Kobayashi joined students of a state-run school in village Maharaja Katte in Ramangara district, the Indian subsidiary said in a statement on Saturday.

The village is located about 70 km south of Bengaluru.

Marking the occasion, Canon honcho donated a pair of socks and shoes to each student, distributed spectacles to the kids and unveiled the school's entry gate built for their safety.

The company engages its employees in conservation and mentoring students through its rural outreach programme.

Canon India has earlier adopted two more villages -- Freeport Naming in Mariana and Kernot at Thane in Maharahstra in 2012 and 2013 to support its children with better educational facilities and eye care facility.

"We are committed to strengthen our vision of '3Es'-- education, environment and eye care -- for sustainable development in every village we adopted," the statement said.

Interestingly, capacity building has led to students return to schooling and enjoying better classrooms, drinking water, and a resource centre with a non-formal teacher to impart computer literacy, art and craft skills.

Kobayashi also rewarded winners of games and participants in cultural performances held in the school on the occasion.

The subsidiary has tied up with a local NGO to hold free eye check-up of the school kids and donate free spectacles.