Deshabhakti Sandesha Yatre and Rashtrabhakti Yuva Samavesha was organised by ABVP to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1857 rising and birth centenary of Bhagat Singh in Chikmagalur on Wednesday.

Hundreds of students took out a procession along the important streets in the town and a convention was organised at Bolarameshwar Temple premises.

STG Women’s College Principal Somagonnavar, presiding over the convention said, terrorist activities are on the rise in the peace-loving country and the independence of the country is in dance, he said.

Delivering a lecture on the occasion, Mahabala Rao said since the time when king Alexander had set foot on this country, freedom struggles had been waged.

However, the British termed the 1857 rising as Sepoy Mutiny. In fact, it was the first war of independence, he explained.

Explaining about the freedom struggle and the associations which led the struggle, he said any struggle can succeed only when people participate in it in large numbers.

If students wish to build a bright future for themselves, they must have knowledge about the past. Students alone are capable of rebuilding the nation.

A couple of politicians must not be allowed to hold the country for ransom for fulfiling their selfish interests, he advised.

ABVP district convener Seetharam Bharanya, speaking introductorily said, the student organisation is working for protecting the interests of the country. Students must make efforts unitedly to rebuild a prosperous country, he added.

ABVP City unit President Somashekhar, General Secretary B Kumaregowda and Raghavendra were present.