Mangalore: VHP, Bajrang Dal Pledge to Protect Nation on 'Bharat Sankalp Day'
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 15: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, Nagori division celebrated the 'Akand Bharat Sankalp Day' in Pumpwell on Tuesday August 14 night.
The main speaker of the programme, Keshava Hegde, said that Bajrang Dal which is a unit of VHP has been doing many social service works like holding blood donation camps, serving the poor and so on.
"Bajrang Dal is not a group of anti-social elements or jobless people... we are only a group of people who have taken an oath to protect our nation," he proclaimed.
"After independence in 1947, the strong anti-social elements in the country were divided into three parts. Today, we pledge to make this nation one and united, unlike the old India. It is our duty to protect the nation and that is the main aim of celebrating this day. There are many leaders in our history who sacrificed their lives to protect the nation, but in modern-day politics, that spirit which our leaders had is vanishing, so it is our duty to bring back the same old spirit and fight for our nation," he said.
The celebration commenced with a procession from Garodi temple to Pumpwell maidan. Nearly 300 youths took part in the procession, holding fire sticks in their hands. Fire play and nasik band sets added colour to the procession.
The procession passed through the Pumpwell circle and ended in the Pumpwell maidan. 'Bhagawa Dhwaj' (safffron flag) was also hoisted in the beginning by the present dignitaires.
Leaders like Sharan Pumpwell and M B Puranik also spoke on the occasion. Dayanand Vittla compered the programme.
VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders like Keshava Hegde, M B Puranik, Sharan Pumpwell, Dinesh Kankanady, Jagadish, Harish Amtady and Jithendra Kottari were present on the dais.