Police, citizens observe Martyrs' Day right on the streets

In place

Why ask for a venue to observe Martyrs’ Day when you can remember the Father of the Nation just where you are?

The road users, pedestrians and traffic police non-verbally asked this question, as they stopped right in the middle of their journeys for 10 minutes, between 11 am and 11.10 am on Wednesday, and observed silence in respect to Mahatma Gandhi.

Surprise halt

The traffic constables controlling traffic on the roads gave a stop signal suddenly, as it turned 11 am. Auto rickshaws were also used to completely block movement of traffic. The drivers, who assumed that it was for the arrival of dignitaries, were unable to understand the reason, but still stood in silence.

Traffic constable A Satish, who spoke to Deccan Herald, said the senior officers had ordered a complete halt of vehicular movement on the streets and main roads between 11 am and 11.10 am on Martyrs’ Day. “They had ordered that a 10-minute stretch of silence be observed and we did that on the roads, halting both drivers and pedestrians where they were.”

Other constables, Babu and Ramesh, too observed Martyrs’ Day at the major circles in the City along with the citizens.

In Kolar

The district administration organised an all-community prayer at Gandhivana in the City on Wednesday.
Prior to maintaining the conventional silence, there was also recital of quotes from the Bhagavadgita, the Bible and the Quran. A round of bhajan-recitation honouring religious tolerance and unity was also organised.

Oath

The participants also took an oath of national integrity, read out by Deputy Commissioner D S Vishwanath.
Teachers and students from various schools were present on the occasion, along with the District Superintendent of Police Ramnivas Sepat, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer S M Zulfikarullah, Home Guards Commandant B Mariswamy, Citizens’ Forum leader Shrikrishna, Additional Deputy Commissioner R S Peddappaiah, Government Employees’ Union District Unit President K N Manjunath, Department of News and Broadcasting Senior Assistant Director C M Ranga Reddy, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Instruction S V Padmanabh and Bharat Seva Dal district leader Manjunath.