Mangaluru: The 71st Independence Day was celebrated with all gaiety and patriotic fervor, here at Nehru Maidan on Tuesday, August 15.

Dakshina Kannada district-in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai after hoisting tri-colour flag, receiving guard of honor gave his I-day message and recalled the contributions of freedom fighters, soldiers for the nation.

While calling upon people to live as Indians first, Rai spoke about various schemes and programmes of the state government.

The Highlights are:

* Government has succefully implemented programms like Mathsyashraya, Mathsya Mahila Swavalambana, Mathsyavahini and Fishermans’ Distress Relief Fund to promote fishing in coastal Karnataka.

*Government has identified one village in each assembly segment so that the village can be transformed into model electricity village by providing three phase electricty for 24 hours.

* The government has taken up 12 projects for the development of tourisim in the district at a cost of Rs 4.60 crore. Under the ‘Tourist Taxi’ programme, government has provided financial assistance of Rs two lakhs for each 80 applicants.

*Under the Chief minister’s Grama Vikas Yojana 30 villages been identifed and a sum of Rs 1.30 cr grant will be released for development of each village.

* From past four years, the PWD has developed 777 kiolometer road in the district. Under the National Highway Development project, the goverment has a target of developing 164.37 Kilometer road for which government has sanctioned Rs126 crore.

*Forest department has planted more than 2lakhs saplings under Koti Vruksha Andolana.

*Under the Rajiv Gandhi Health Mission nearly 348 people have availed various benefits and facilities.

*To support animal husbandry, government is providing Rs 5 as support price for per litre of milk. This has led to increase in number of milk producers. In 2016 -17, 38676 farmers have availed the facilities.

* Under the Anna Baghya Scheme, the government is spending Rs 42.75 crore to provide food grains to 2.17 lakh poor families.

* A sum of Rs five cr had been sanctioned for developing district Wenlock Hospital and another Rs 10 cr has been sanctioned this year. Meanwhile, a veterinary hospital will be developed at Koila village of Dakshina Kannada at a cost of Rs 4.75 cr.

*The government has approved project of building Veerarani Abbakka Bhavana at Rs 8 crore and a sum of Rs 2.50 cr has been sanctioned.

* Government has decided to develop Regional Planatoruim at Plilkula at a cost of Rs 35 crore. In this year, Rs 20 crore has been sanctioned for coastal development authority. Government has reserved Rs 100 crore for the Paschimavahi Yojana”

During this occasion, Sunil Ivan Menezes from Vogga, Sharath Kumar from Ullal, and Naveen Kumar from Uppinangady given Harish Santhwana Jeeva Rakshaka Award. Rajiv Gandhi Health Cards were given to journalists. Laptops as prize were given to SSLC toppers from the district. In march past NCC Air Wing Senior, NCC Naval Senior, and Road Safety Girls and NCC army juniors bagged prizes.

Deputy Commissioner Dr KG Jagadish,Mayor Kavitha Sanil and others were present.