Mangalore : The 68th Independence Day was celebrated by the district administration at Nehru Maidan on Friday August 15 amid fanfare and patriotic fervour.
District in-charge Minister and Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology Ramanath Rai hoisted the Tricolour before accepting the guard of honour in the presence of Mangalore city corporation Mayor – Mahabala Maarla, Deputy Commissioner – AB Ibrahim, Chief Executive officer of Zilla panchayat – Tulasi Maddineni, Superintend of police – Sharanabasappa, MLC – Ivan D’souza, MLA – JR Lobo, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and others.
Delivering the Independence Day message Ramanath Rai greeted the gathering and said, “Indian culture, the ethnicity, the traditions and the integrity of the nation are important aspects of our country that must be preserved and protected with unity.”
“Our government has always worked for the welfare of the poor irrespective of their religion, caste or creed. We have treated everyone equally, and made complete use of the administrational responsibilities that have been shouldered on us.”
He also informed about the various welfares that the government has brought forth for the deprived, namely Anna Bhagya – 1kg rice for Rs 1 scheme, welfares done for rural milk farmers by rising Rs 4 per liter, upliftments for workers and labor association, Sandhya Suraksha Yojana – the pension plan for old, Widow welfares, schemes for handicaps, etc.
He said that the arecanut farmers have incurred immense loss due to the last years rains for which the government has provided 44850 farmers a relief of around 29 crores. Informing about the Mangalore fisheries association, Rai said that around 57.60 crores have been allocated for their wellbeing.
Apart from that, Rai said that under the Karnataka Land reform act 94C, around 22659 applications have been accepted, for which poor people staying on a land for several years will be given land rights after scrutiny.
Concluding his speech, Ramanath Rai also recalled the sacrifices of freedom fighters and said that it is the duty of every individual to respect and protect this freedom.
The celebration also saw a colourful march past by a number of bands and teams. Police bands including DAR KSRP, civil police, traffic police, women police, home guards, fire and safety personnel, NCC army, NCC naval, NCC air wing, Dobberman security, scouts, guides, road safety patrol girls and boys, Bala Seva Dal girls and boys and Satya Sai music band, participated in the march past.
Numerous citizens of the society were felicitated by the district administration for their dedication towards their civic duties and commitment for the society. They were Deril Castalino – Wing commander who saved several lives during the Kedarnath floods, BR Rao for his contribution for the society, Dr Harish Kumar, Manikya Additional charge officer, K Dayananda, Jayakay and others.
