Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 26: The Udupi district administration on Sunday January 26 celebrated India's 71st Republic Day with fanfare at Mahatma Gandhi district stadium in Ajjarkad here. The event was jointly organised by the Republic Day celebration committee.
State home minister and district in-charge Basavaraj Bommai hoisted the flag in the presence of Udupi MLA K Raghupati Bhat, deputy commissioner G Jagadeesh, zilla panchayat CEO Preethi Gehlot, district superintendent of police (SP) N Vishnuvardhan, ASP Kumarachandra, ZP president Dinakar Babu, taluk panchayat president Neetha Gururaj, ADC Sadashiva Prabhu and others.
Basavaraj Bommai received the guard of honour from the cadets and students.
Addressing the gathering Bommai said, "Udupi has a lot of potential to develop tourism and improve fishing and economic activities. Karnataka is a rapidly developing state in the fields of agriculture and business. The coastal region brings economic development by way of import and export business. There is a need for enhancing economic activity in the coast by providing the necessary equipment for harbour and boats.
"Unfortunately, Karnataka has not utilized its assets optimally as compared to neighbouring states. Let us attract tourists from all over from the nation to the coastal areas by providing all necessary infrastructure. We also have scope for improving temple and health tourism. Udupi has the potential to enhance its economic activities," he added.
"India is a self-sustaining and independent nation and it has created a benchmark in agriculture, education, industry and IT-BT fields. At the same time, there is a need to understand our failures too. Issues such as poverty, illiteracy and unemployment pose a challenge to the government.
"Democracy should not be limited to elections, and should be a participatory democracy. We should be reviewing our success for a better, new and stronger future of India," he said.
Bommai further said, "Indian democracy is the biggest, and is truly alive in letter and spirit. All should give respect to the Constitution of India. Let us give first priority to peace and maintenance of law and order. All are equal before the law. Some people are waiting to disturb peace in the nation. Let us unite to make India free from terrorism."
Speaking further on development, he said, "Udupi is progressing on the path of development. The government has sanctioned Rs 29 crore to the panchayat raj department for providing basic infrastructure to houses damaged by the flood in Udupi district. Rs 32 crore has been released for various construction works and for Swacch Bharath Abhiyan. As many as 1,90,000 BPL cards have been distributed, and Rs 1.39 lac has been released for farmers under Krishi Samman. Construction work on vented dams has been undertaken. The government has been launched Varahi water project for Udupi. A 194-km long road construction work was completed by PWD at the cost of Rs 157 crore."
A beautiful marchpast was performed by the students, the armed police, the police department, and NCC cadets of various schools from across the district.
Cultural programmes highlighting the essence of India were performed by students of Mukunda Krupa English Medium School, Udupi, Christian High School, Udupi, Governmen Higher Primary School, Olakadu, and St Francis Xavier School, Udyavar and Anantheshwar High School, Paniyadi.
A few government officials and farmers were awarded in recognition of their achievements. Sportspersons who participated in national-level sports were also honoured. As many as 10 state government employees were conferred Sarvothama Seva award and best district-level farmer awards were presented to 10 farmers.