Patriotic songs, dance, poets’ meet, felicitation and variety entertainment programmes were part of cultural programmes to mark the 60th Independence Day celebration organised jointly by the district administration, department of public instruction, Kannada and Culture department and Dakshina Kannada district Kannada Sahithya Parishath here Wednesday.

A skit on ‘Mangal Pandey’ highlighting his heroic deeds, a group dance on ‘unity in diversity’ showcasing various dance forms like Bharathnatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Bangra, Baila, Kuchipudi, Yakshagana, Kathakalli was another attraction.

Speaking on the occasion, Kannada Development Authority former chairman B A Idinabba called upon the people to preserve the freedom which we received after a struggle.

“We should remember the sacrifices made by those freedom fighters to free India from the clutches of the British,” Mr Idinabba said. 

Stating that Mahathma Gandhi did not use any weapons to fight against the British, he said   he used truth, non violence and justice as weapons.

He urged the people to maintain communal harmony and to be united to preserve the freedom which we have gained after many years of struggle.

Deputy Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao, Zilla Panchayat President Sushma Janardhan, District Kannada Sahitya Parishath President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura among others were present.

Poets Ramesh Kedilaya, Manorama M Bhat, M G Hegde, Chandrashekar Boluru recited their poems in the poets meet.

Students from Canara High School (Urwa), Nalanda High School, Sandesha Mahavidyalaya and Sanathana Natyalaya staged cultural programmes on the occasion.