I-Day fete:Patriotism fills the air at Manekshaw ground

A sense of patriotism filled the air at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Grounds in the city, with parades and cultural events enthralling the audience during the 72nd Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday, despite the black threatening clouds.

The day began with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy unfurling the tricolour, even as an Indian Air Force helicopter showered petals from above.

After receiving a salute from 34 contingents and inspecting the guard of honour, Kumaraswamy went around the rectangular ground in an open jeep and greeted the battalions of the armed forces, the state reserve police, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and the Bharat Scouts and Guides.

Contingents, including the armed forces, the Border Security Force, NCC and NSS battalions were among teams that took part in the parade along with schoolchildren.

Teams from the Ramana Maharshi Blind School and the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled were also present.

As many as 650 schoolchildren from government schools in Gruhalakshmi Layout and Nelagadaranahalli presented a dance performance on ‘Krantiveera Mundargi Bheemaraya’ depicting the freedom fighter’s struggles against British oppression in 1857. Students from BBMP school, Bhairaveshwara Nagar, presented a performance on ‘Deshabhakti Mylara Mahadeva’, based on the story of Mylarappa, a freedom fighter from Haveri. Musician Kikkeri Krishnamurthy and his team gave a rendition of the state anthem.

The Army Service Corps Tornadoes team presented bike stunts that involved forming a human pyramid on motorbikes. There was also a gymnastic performance by the Madras Engineering Group.

Later, Kumaraswamy presented gallantry medals and awards to police officers and distributed prizes.

Parade prizes First category: Border Security Force; second: Excise Police; third: Bharat Seva Dal; fourth: Mitra Academy; fifth: Bangalore International Academy; sixth: Police Public School Cultural prizes The first prize went to the Lily Rose High School, Bannerghatta Road. Gruhalakshmi and Nelagadaranahalli Government School students got the second prize while the third prize was given to the BBMP school. A special award was given to the Goa police team that took part on a special invitation. The Ramana Maharshi Blind School and the Samarthanam Trust teams were also given special awards.