Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 26: The 77th Republic Day of India was celebrated with pride and patriotic fervour at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Stadium, Panambur, on January 26.
The celebrations were led by the chief guest, Capt Manoj Joshi, deputy conservator & deputy chairman (in-charge), NMPA, in the august presence of senior officers, heads of departments, employees, members of the Board, CISF personnel, staff members, and school students, reflecting the collective spirit of unity and national pride.
The programme commenced with the garlanding of the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr B R Ambedkar, and U S Mallya, symbolising respect for the ideals and contributions of national leaders.
The national flag was unfurled by Capt Manoj Joshi, followed by the singing of the national anthem by students of Kendriya Vidyalaya No.1, Panambur. The parade contingent comprising CISF personnel, NMPA Fire Service, private security staff, and school children from Kendriya Vidyalaya and NMPA English Medium School performed a ceremonial march past, which was duly inspected by the chief guest, in keeping with Republic Day tradition.
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, A special collective singing session of the national song was organised to honour its historic legacy of 150 years of Vande Mataram.
Addressing the gathering, the chief guest, highlighted the true significance of Republic Day, marking the implementation of the Constitution of India and nearly eight decades of India’s democratic journey. He emphasised that nation-building is a collective responsibility, where every citizen, as part of the governance system, has a role to play in ensuring progress and delivery of basic rights.
Drawing insightful examples from history and technology, he underscored how small lapses in responsibility can lead to far-reaching consequences, stressing the importance of foresight, accountability, and dedication at every level. He encouraged officers and employees to think beyond routine achievements and work with a future-oriented mindset, urging them to anticipate infrastructure and capacity needs to support sustained growth.
Referring to the port’s recent achievement of crossing 40 million metric tonnes of cargo handling, he congratulated the workforce while also motivating them to aim higher through better planning, innovation, and collective effort. He invited all stakeholders to contribute ideas and suggestions to strengthen the system and support the nation’s vision of a prosperous, strong, and developed India by 2047, ensuring a better future for coming generations.
As part of the celebrations, citations and cash awards were presented to school students from displaced communities for academic achievements, as well as to NMPA employees, officers, CISF personnel, police personnel, and Home Guards, in recognition of their exemplary service and dedication.
The event was further enriched by a cultural programme showcasing patriotic and vibrant performances by students from DK Zilla Panchayat Higher Primary School, NMPA English Medium High School, and Kendriya Vidyalaya No.1, Panambur. Participation prizes were also distributed to encourage young talents.
The celebrations also featured demonstrations by CISF unit, highlighting discipline, preparedness, and emergency response capabilities.
The programme concluded with the plantation of saplings, symbolising NMPA’s continued commitment towards environmental sustainability.