‘Proud to Say Government has Tackled Covid-19 Crisis in State’- District Minister In-Charge Kota Srinivas Poojary during a Sombre 74th Independence Day Celebration held on 15v August 2020 at 9 am at Nehru Maidan, Mangaluru
Mangaluru: 74th Independence Day 2020: India’s Independence Day reminds the country’s citizens of all the sacrifices the freedom fighters have made to secure the country’s future. Since its independence, India has made stellar progress in every field, including education, military and space programmes. Commemorating the nation’s independence from British rule, India celebrated its 74th Independence Day, but with a slight twist. Owing to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there were no social gatherings. In lieu of the precautions taken, there were no grand performances.
Independence Day is a reminder of the sacrifices of our valiant freedom fighters who stood up against the colonizer’s and even suffered harsh consequences unflinchingly so that the later generations could breathe in free air. Slaving for 200 years and claiming back our country makes us marvel at the great leaders. On August 15, 1947, the first Prime Minister of Independent India Jawaharlal Nehru unveiled India’s tricolour flag at the Red Fort in Delhi. This practice continues to date as along with the flag hoisting, the Prime Minister delivers a speech from the historic monument.
For the FIRST time in the history of Dakshina Kannada, the I-Day celebrations were lowkey, and there were no performances, other than a short parade and guard of honour by police personnel. Among the police teams which took part in the guard of honour/parade were – KSRP, DK Police Unit, Civil Police Mangaluru, CAR Mangaluru, Women’s Police Wing, among others. There was no participation of any school or college teams since institutions are closed due to the pandemic. Following the tri-colour flag hoisting by Minister In-Charge Kota Srinivas Poojary, he took the guard of honour from the police team, in an open jeep- and in the background music played by the DK Police Brass Band.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary said, “More than a celebration today is a day to pay respect and remember all the brave soldiers who fought to bring us freedom, which we are enjoying from the hands of the British. On August 15, 1947, India had achieved independence after years of struggle. The day commemorates freedom from years of oppression under British rule. On this day, the country ceased to be a colonial nation and secured full autonomy from British rule. The day holds great significance in the heart of every Indian citizen living in India and abroad. While the day usually witnesses grand celebrations including parades, it was considerably scaled-down this time amid the coronavirus pandemic. But you can always make sure to spread cheer and love among your friends and family members”.
He further said, “This year our government’s main aim is to reach all the schemes introduced to every household in the state, and I urge everyone to make use of the schemes for their own benefit. Government schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Kissan Samman, among many others have been utilized by nearly 5 crore people in Karnataka. You should all know that our govt run by CM Yediyurappa is pro-farmer friendly, and we have also launched the First-of-its-kind, Farmers Crop Survey App 2020-21. The government has also stepped in to provide 10,000 jobs in the fisheries department in the state. Even though we are hit by the coronavirus pandemic, I am proud to say that the government has been successful in tackling it”.
“Lakhs of people received ration and food supplies during the lockdown, and also the endowment department provided food to the needy. I am thankful to several organisations, social workers, NGO’s and volunteers who came forward to help people during the lockdown by distributing food kits and medicine. We also managed the arrival of interstate and international passengers. For the Mangaluru Smart City Projects Rs 2,000 crore has been allotted, of which Rs 338 crore has been released and Rs 100 crore worth work has been completed until now. We have also upgraded the District Wenlock Hospital, which is a COVID-19 hospital now, at a cost of Rs 5.83 crore. The second floor of Lady Goshen hospital has been developed at a cost of Rs 2.31 crore. Under Prime Minister Kissan Samman scheme in the district, 1,35,841 farmers have been credited with Rs 10,000 each, totalling Rs 137 crore” added Kota.
“I would also like to mention that Rs 10 crore has been allotted for the construction of the new mini Vidhana Soudha at the new Moodbidiri and Kadaba taluk, of which Rs 2 crore has been released so that work can start. We have undertaken the BC Road Punjalkatte national highway road work and have decided to take up road work at the earliest in Karkala, Moodbidri and Mangaluru. For all these development works the co-operation of the people is very much needed to make it a success,” added Kota Srinivas Poojary.
Following the minister’s speech, 20 ÇOVID-19 Warriors’ from Wenlock hospital, doctors, DHO, police, revenue department, health department, civic workers and SSLC exam achievers were felicitated. The Nada Geethe/Desha Bhakti Geethe/Raitha Geethe was sung by the students of Canara High School-Dongerekery, Mangaluru under the guidance of Mrs Rachana R, a faculty at the school. The comperes for the I-Day celebration were Mrs Manjula Shetty, from Education Dept, and K R Umesh, a lecturer at Govt PUC, Jyothi Circle, Mangaluru. The public was not allowed inside the Nehru Maidan, and even though the district administration specified that social distancing should be followed, it went for a toss- with even the authorities and police personnel abusing social distancing- even on stage. How nice?
Among the VIP’s who graced the I-Day celebration were – MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLAs Vedavyasa Kamath and Dr Bharath Shetty, Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V, MLC Prathap Simha Nayak, Police Commissioner Vikash Kumar, MCC Mayor Diwakar Pandeshwar, MCC Commissioner Dinesh Kumar, Ms Meenakshi Shanthigodu- President, Zilla Panchayat, among many others.
I end this column with a song “Vande Mataram” composed by Fr. Joel Lopes OFM Cap -Farangipet, where he said, “The song was composed a while ago, and recorded recently on the occasion of Independence day, to evoke the sentiments of patriotism in the hearts of the listeners. Specially recalling and honouring the sacrifices of our soldiers during the past few months. This song is sung by Manasa Holla, Kushala and Dakshayani and was recorded at Eden studio by Milton. Keyboard programming was by Praveen Duth Stephen. Rhythm programming by Simpson Prakasam (Chennai). Video editing is beautifully done by Fr. Stephen D’Souza. I remain grateful to all who have been a part of making this song. Happy Independence day. Vande Mataram.
