Mangaluru: The 69th Independence day was celebrated with a spirit of patriotism at the Nehru Maidan here, on August 15.
The district minister-incharge B Ramanath Rai hoisted the Indian tricolour flag at 9 am. Later, he received the guard of honour.
Various teams from Karnataka Reserve police, civil police, home guards, Traffic police, NCC, Scouts and Guides demonstrated a colourful march-past.
In his speech, Rai wished the people in the district a happy independence day and said that the government has implemented various schemes for the welfare of the people. He said, “The government has implemented the ‘Shira Bhagya’ scheme, which will provide nutritious food to school students and help in making the state hunger free. In addition, various schemes like Anna Bhagya aimed at providing food for the poor, Manasvani scheme aimed at divorcees/unmarried, Maithri scheme aimed at transgenders, Vidyasiri scheme aimed at backward classes, etc. have also been implemented. Such schemes will help the people to lead a peaceful lives. Farmers, labourers, women, children, elderly, physically challenged, transgenders, SC/ST have benefited from these schemes.
He further said that in Shiradi ghats, 13km stretch of road has been concreted at the cost of Rs 69 crore and the second phase consisting of a 11.77km stretch is under tender process. 5.89 acres of land has been acquired in Alape-Padil to build the DC’s Office at a cost of Rs 40 crore and the state government has already sanctioned permission. In DK district, the construction of mini Soudha is already in the final stage in Mangaluru while in Sullia and Puttur, it is under process. The government has already sanctioned Rs 5 crore to build mini Soudhas in Bantwal and Belthangady.
He also said that Rs 2 lakh has been provided to the families of farmers, who have committed suicide, as compensation and that the government has already sanctioned Rs 1520 crore as compensation for sugarcane cultivators. In DK district, the Revenue Department has received 45,593 applications for akrama-sakrama land, out of which 2,498 applications have been sanctioned and rest will be sorted out. He also said that the survey of deemed forest land has already been completed in the state and measures have been taken to submit an affidavit to the Supreme Court.
The 19th Federation Cup created history for Mangaluru in which 575 athletes in 31 teams from 21 states participated. The state government sanctioned Rs 1 crore to organised a mega job fair in DK district to provide employment for talented students.
Police commissioner S Murugan, MLA J R Lobo, MLA Moideen Bava, Mayor Jacintha Alfred, deputy mayor Purushotham, SP Dr Sharanappa, MLC Ivan D’Souza, ZP CEO Sreevidya and others were also present.
What a wonderful place to witness from a distance. What a wonderful occasion to be alive for India’s 69th Independence Day. The Nehru Maidan was known as Central Maidan in 1947. I was there to listen to the All India Radion live broadcast from New Delhi when none of us had a radio or even power supply. Bear footed we walked to the Central Maidan and joined in the happiness of the people of Mangalore.
God bless Mangalore, and God bless India. We have come a long way to make good things happen.
Wish all a Happy Independence Day ! Good Photographs . Thanks Mangalorean.com. Feel being there. Sweet memories of Independence Celebration spent in Nehru Maidan during the school days. Wish all the best for future.