Mangaluru celebrates 67th Republic Day

Mangaluru, Jan 26: Spectacular parade by police personnel and NCC cadets and colourful dance presentation by students marked the Republic Day celebrations.

District in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai unfurled the tri-colour and delivered the Republic Day message here on Tuesday.

Arriving at the venue — Nehru Maidan — Mr. Rai, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim and Superintendent of Police D.S. Sharanappa hoisted the National Flag. Delivering the Republic Day address, Mr. Rai underlined the importance of the Constitution and the secular fabric of India.

Later, he reviewed the parade in which various units of the district police and reserve police participated. Also, Army, Navy and Air Force wings of National Cadet Corps (NCC) and other student wings participated in the parade.

Mangaluru to be free of open defecation

Delivering R-Day speech, Mr Rai said that all households in the MCC limits will be provided toilets by the end of this year, to make the City free of open defecation. “Funds up to Rs 280 crore have been released under the ADB II phase project, for development of infrastructure. Under the Amrita Scheme of the Central government, Rs 200 crore will be released for the next five years. Under the scheme, construction of underground drains, stormwater drains and development of parks will be carried out,” the minister said.

Stating that the progress of farmers and villages is the priority of the government, Rai said that under the Podi-free campaign, land had been measured in 30 villages and 30 more villages have been selected for such measurements on podi land – which refers to land for which farmers have no land records.

He added that Dakshina Kannada district is a frontrunner in the implementation of the State government schemes like Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Manaswini and Maitri.

Development of backward communities

A?grant of Rs 1.20 crore has been released for the treatment of Malekudiya community people suffering from ‘sickle-cell anaemia’.

“In the district, title deeds under the Forest Rights Acts have been distributed to 50 beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Tribes. A total of 136 people belonging to the Koraga community have been provided houses at a cost of Rs 2.38 crore.

Various other schemes for SC/ST such as financial assistance for students belonging to Malekudiya community and Ashram School in Dharmasthala, have also been implemented. The selection of beneficiaries for Dr B R Ambedkar Housing scheme is in progress,” he said.

KSRP, Civil Police, Traffic Police, PSI Women Police, Fire Service Personnel, NCC Army and Navy, Bharat Seva Dal, scouts, guides and the police band took part in a march past led by Parade Commander Raghavendra of RPI.

Hasan Vittal, superintendent at the DC office, RFO P Shashidhar, SP’s office branch superintendent Ravichandra V, Revenue Department First Division Assistants B Hyder Ali and Prabhakar, Swacch Bharat Mission Coordinator Manjula and Department of Horticulture attender Ramesh were honoured with Sarvottam awards. Eight talented students were also felicitated.

Commissioner of Police M Chandrasekhar and ACP Madan Gaonkar were felicitated for being the recipients of President’s medal. As a part of the celebrations, students presented cultural programmes. A vintage car rally was held on the occasion.

Health Minister U T Khader, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA J R Lobo, MLC Ivan D’Souza, Mayor Jacinta Vijaya Alfred, IGP (Western Range) Amrit Paul, SP Dr Sharanappa S D, ZP CEO P I Sreevidya and Additional DC Kumar were present among others.