Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Aug 15: The Udupi district administration on Tuesday August 15 celebrated the 71st Independence Day with a colourful ceremony at Beedinagudde here.
District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj hoisted the National Flag and received the guard of honour.
Delivering his Independence Day address, Pramod Madhwaraj said, "Leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Gangadhar Tilak, Abdul Kalam Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhaschandra Bose, Bhagat Singh and others fought for India’s freedom. Being Indians, it is our duty to remember their struggles and sacrifices.
"Udupi district is known for peace and harmony. Not only that, Udupi is also recognized for banking, education, hotels and industrial development," he added.
"We launched 'Swacch Udupi Mission Programme' in order to make Udupi a garbage-free district, and implemented it in gram panchayats like Gangolli, Varamballi and Nitte on a pilot basis. Udupi is likely to be announced as garbage-free district in one year.
"Udupi has already been announced as open defecation-free under Swacch Bharath Mission programme. Local bodies like Karkala, Kundapur town municipality and Saligrama town panchayats joined the list recently. Udupi stands seventh in list of cleanest districts in the nation," he said.
"Nearly Rs 8.15 crore has been released for integrated development of horticulture and farmers. As many as 635 fishermen families will get shelter and infrastructure under Matsyashraya scheme, and Rs 1.20 lac has been provided as grants for each house.
"Rs 37.15 crore has been released under the centre's project for the construction of Malpe harbour. In the year 2015-16, Rs 3.99 crore has been released for 74 works including road development, installation of LED streetlights, repairing drainage system etc.
"An amount of Rs 18.03 crore has been sanctioned under the Sarva Shikshana Abhiyana. Sakala Service in Udupi has secured the first place at the state level. Udupi is second in state in terms of revenue service, and fourth in use of Atalji Jana Snehi Kendra and Bapuji 100 Seva Kendra.
"Under the Anna Bhagya scheme, 1,64,025 Antyodaya and 5,24,307 BPL card holders have been selected for free rice distribution. Rs 3 crore has been sanctioned to construct Gandhi Bhavan in a traditional style at Shivalli of Udupi district," Madhwaraj said.
"To bring all the government services under one roof and give people-friendly service, Udupi One Nagarika Seva Kendra will be set up.
"Nearly 25 villages have been selected under the Gram Vikas project. As many as 25,458 beneficiaries have been selected under Basava Vasathi scheme, out of whom, houses have been constructed for 13,568," he added.
A colourful cultural programme was presented by students of various schools.
Students of Mukunda Kripa English Medium School, Udupi, Adi Udupi High School, Government Samyukta High School, Olakadu, Government Girls’' PU College, Mahatma Gandhi PU College, Kunjibettu, Indrali English Medium School, and U Kamala Bai, Kadiyali sang patriotic songs.
As many as 18 teams participated in the colourful parade, led by district Army commander Raghavendra Rao.
Pramod Madhwaraj other guests felicitated SSLC and PUC toppers. Laptops were distributed to toppers.
Deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, additional DC Anuradh G, zilla panchayat CEO Shivanand Pavasi, CMC commissioner D Manjunathayya, president Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, superintendent of police Sanjeev Patil and others were present