Mangalore : The  67th Independence Day  was celebrated at Nehru Maidan in Mangalore on August 15, Thursday with the true spirit of patriotism. DK District in-Charge Minister and State Minister for Forest and Ecology B Ramanatha Rai  unfurled the National Flag.

The celebration began with the Independence Day Parade by  KSRP, DAR, civil police, traffic police, Home Guards,  NCC Army, Naval and Air Wings,Scouts, Guides and Bala Seva Dal boys and girls.  The Police Band and Satya Sai Music Band added gaiety to the celebrations.

In his Independence Day address after receiving the Guard of Honour, Rai said  it was a day when the country men should remember with gratitude the  sacrifices made by  the freedom fighters for the cause of the nations Independence.” We have the responsibility of  following  the policy of live and let live,  we should try to foster peace, harmony  by sinking all differences in the name of  caste, creed  religion and gender,” he said.

Rai further added that  the state government has launched various successful schemes, within two months of taking charge. 

Later, he felicitated  young achiever Nesar Poojary  who won a Bronze and Silver medal in the international Karate tournament in Srilanka.

A website giving information  about the Koraga community was launched on the occasion. A mini-helicopter fitted with camera, a creation of Ratnaker Naik won much applause on the occasion.

N Prakash, Deputy Commissioner, Pratap Reddy, IGP Western Range,  Tulasi Maddineni, ZP Chief Executive Officer, Abhishek Goel, District Superintendent of Police, Manish Kharbikar, Mangalore Police Commissioner, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP and others were present on the occasion.