67th Republic Day Celebrated in DK Amid protest against Yettinahole Project
Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district administration celebrated the 67th Republic Day at the Nehru Maidan here on January 26.
District minister in charge B Ramanath Rai hoisted the National flag on the occasion. Addressing the gathering Ramanath Rai said, “India is a secular country and we have unity in diversity. Republic day is a celebration of superiority of the democratic system. The constitution transforms to either good or bad, not depending on what is written in the Constitution; but on the people who follow it. If the people are good, the constitution is good; if they are bad, the Constitution is bad. Every citizen of our nation should think of their fundamental rights and duties based on this perspective”.
He briefed on various developmental projects initiated by the government in the district. A memorandum has been submitted to the government to extend the runway. Additional compensation of Rs 26 crore has also been sanctioned.
“This is a proud day for us Indians. This historical day gave us the constitution. The motto of our nation is ‘unity in diversity,’ there are various religions, castes, creeds that live together as one,” he said.
Rai said that the government had given various people friendly schemes. ‘Anna Bhagya’ was the flagship scheme, for which the state government had sanctioned Rs 36 crores annually which has seen 2 lakh beneficiaries. ‘Ksheera Bhagya’ covered 1.78 lakh students and had dispersed 225 tonnes of milk in the previous year.
“Ambedkar bhavana will be built near Urwa Store and an area of 1.61 acres has been identified. The estimated costs for this project is Rs 12 crores. The government has also sanctioned Rs 117.85 crores to be used to provide food and shelter to the backward class. Scholarships worth Rs 7.8 lakh is issued to 94 students belonging to Malekudi community for securing a first class rank in SSLC and PUC exams. Rs 25 lakhs is sanctioned to 100 beneficiaries of Malekudi community for their house repair works,” Rai said.
Rai further said that Rs 50000 was given to those who married specially abled. Also a talking laptop was given to specially abled students. Rs 120 lakhs was sanctioned for the treatment of patients belonging to Malekudi community suffering from ‘Sickle Cell Anaemia.’ Rs 41 crores was sanctioned for repair works of government offices. Mini Vidhan Sauda will be built in Bantwal, Beltangady, Sullia and Puttur. “Job fair was held on November 19 and 20. 12458 aspirants participated and about 2000 have secured jobs,” he added.
Rai said that Karavali Utsav celebrations began from January 23. In the second phase of ADB, funds of Rs 280 crores were sanctioned. This will provide drinking water, build roads, drainages and develop the city.
It was followed by an attractive parade by the police force, NCC, NSS and Bharat Seva Dal volunteers from different schools and colleges in the city.
The district-level award ‘Sarvotthama Seva Prashasti’ was awarded to government employees who have done exceptional service in their fields. They are P Sridhar from Forest Department, Ravichandra A, Dean SP’s Office, B Hyder Ali DC Office, Prabhakar from the DC’s Office, Manjula from ZP and Ramesh from the Horticulture Department.
Dinesh Holla, Sudatta Jain Shirthady and others were arrested by the police for protesting against the Yettinahole project.
Minister U T Khader; MP Nalin Kumar Kateel; MLA J R Lobo; MLC Ivan D’Souza; Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim; Mayor Jacintha Alfred, deputy Mayor Purushotham Chitrapur, Commissioner of Police, Chandra Sekhar; SP Dr Sharanappa; CEO ZP Sreevidya, MUDA Chairman Ibrahim Kodijal and other dignitaries were present.
