'Face terrorism, naxalism with courage'

Independence Day celebrations were held with full fervour on Monday in the three districts of Hassan, Chamarajanagar and Mandya.

While housing minister V Somanna visited Hassan, excise minister M P Renukacharya participated in the programmes at Chamarajanagar and home minister R Ashoka unfurled the national flag in Mandya.

In Chamarajanagar

Excise minister M P Renukacharya said that terrorism, naxal activities and regionalism are increasing in the country. The country should face it with courage and patience, he added.

He was speaking at the Independence Day celebrations organised by the district administration at the Dr B R Ambedkar district stadium in Chamarajanagar on Monday.

Renukacharya said that various schemes had been introduced since gaining independence. Farmers, women, children, specially-abled and labourers have made significant progress. The country has faced threat from its neighbours. It has witnessed the partition of Bangladesh and Pakistan.

In the present situation, internal threats by factions have surfaced. All citizens have to join hands to fight the threats faced by the nation.

The British ruled the country by using violence. But Mahatma Gandhi showed us the power of non-violence. Thousands of people have fought to make the country independent. We have to remember all of them on the occasion.

Twenty one teams including District Armed Reserve Police Force, Home Guards, Scouts and Guides and students participated in the march past. Toppers in academics were felicitated on the occasion.

In Hassan

More than 4,000 students participated in the Independence Day celebrations organised by district administration at the district auditorium here on Monday. The highlight of the programme was that seven plays were enacted by students on the occasion.

The public education department organised new programmes on the occasion including plays depicting the freedom struggle including Tipu Sultan, Kittur Rani Chenamma, Sangolli Rayannara Satyagraha, Mangal Pandey, Bhagat Singh, non-violence movement by Mahatma Gandhi, Subash Chandra Bose and others.

The plays were directed by Chandrakantha Padesuru and music was scored by Vidwan B N S Murali. Ambale Rajeshwari choreographed the dances. Narration was by Keshavesh and B S Desai was the art director. Housing minister V Somanna inaugurated the programme and unfurled the national flag. More than 30 teams participated in the march past.

SP chews gum

Superintendent of Police Amit Singh was allegedly eating chewing gum all through the programme. Even when the flag was unfurled and the National Anthem was being sung, Singh was found to be chewing gum.

It is said that Somanna advised the officer to be alert the next time and stop eating gum during public programmes.

In Mandya

Home Minister R Ashoka said that modernisation of sugar factories would be undertaken in Mandya and Pandavapura. He was speaking at the Independence Day celebrations at the Sir M Visvesvaraya stadium in Mandya.He said in the previous year nine lakh tonnes of sugar cane has been processed and this could be increased.

However, he didn’t touch upon the demand of sugar cane growers to fix the price at Rs 2,100.

Ashoka said that projects to construct bus stands at Melukote, Halaguru, Chinakurali, Kikkeri, Adichunchanagiri have already started. He said that 45 new bus routes are being planned.