Celebrations mark Republic Day

Mahadev Prasad announces Rs 100 crore for Ch'nagar for repair works

Several programmes marked the 65th Republic Day celebrations, in Mysore, on Sunday. Flag hoisting and cultural events were held in government and private institutions. Interestingly, it was attended by several foreigners as well.

The District Adminstration had organised the Republic Day at Oval Grounds. Revenue Minister V Sreenivas Prasad, delivering the Republic Day message after unfurling the National flag, said, Dr B R Ambedkar was the guiding force behind the Indian Constitution.

He said, Ambedkar clearly mentioned that the oppressed classes and untouchables have been deprived of human rights for ages. The Constitution will help them fight for their rights, and there is no other intention behind this, he said.

Ambedkar has burnt his midnight oil to draft the Constitution. It has taken two years and 11 months to complete the task. “K M Munshi, who described Ambedkar as the Father of Indian Constitution, is true. Many other stalwarts have agreed to the fact,” the minister added.

Earlier, various police and para-military forces, NCC cadets and schoolchildren took part in the march past. Prizes were given to the first three best march past teams.
Scores of foreign nationals were seated in a separate gallery, enjoying the proceedings.

Around 300 students of Pragathi High School, Bogadi, performed ‘Unity in diversity’ dance while Mahaveera High School students presented an exercise dance.

Bravery award

Revenue Minister V Sreenivas Prasad confered a bravery award on the late Satish, who was killed in a terrorist attack at the Police Public School, Srinagar in Jammu Kashmir, on March 13, 2013. Satish of CRPF 73 Battalion died while exchanging fire with terrorists, along with four others. He was a native of Alambadi village in K R Pet taluk, Mandya district. His mother Savithramma received the award.

Railway

Rajkumar Lal, Divisional Railway Manager, South Western Railway, unfurled the national flag at the Railway Sports ground.

He outlined the performance of the Mysore Division during the current fiscal year. He said, despite the Central government imposing a ban on transportation of export quality iron ore, which badly impacted the revenues of the division, the cumulative earnings up to December 2013 stood at Rs 414.35 crore (up by 4.37 per cent), in comparison to the performance in the corresponding period of previous year.

The division is optimistic of meeting the target through aggressive marketing strategies and innovative schemes, he added.

Lal reiterated the commitment of the Division in ensuring higher levels of safety and security of passengers, especially in the backdrop of a couple of fire mishaps of late. He said, special teams of officials have been constituted to intensify inspections across the Division with the motto of zero tolerance for accidents. Women’s safety would continue to be a priority, he added.

He listed the appointment of authorised ticket booking agents in residential areas of important cities, additional catering units at important stations, setting up of internet cafes at Mysore, Shimoga and Davangere as achievements.

Chamarajanagar

District in-charge Minister H S Mahadev Prasad said, the first phase of works to fill 20 lakes of Gundlupet and Chamarajanagar taluk will be completed by February end.

After hoisting the tri-colour at Dr B R Ambedkar Stadium as part of Republic day celebrations, here, on Sunday, he said, permission has been given to fill nine lakes of Begur region in Gundlupet taluk. Works have already begun to fill lakes at Santhemarahalli, he said.

Tender process is on, to supply drinking water from rivers to 166 villages of Chamarajanagar taluk and 133 villages of Gundlupet taluk, he said.

There are also plans to sanction Rs 153 crore for supplying water to Gundlupet and Chamarajanagar taluks and Rs 113.4 crore for providing basic amenities at Kollegal, he said.

Rs 100 crore

The State government has approved a Rs 100 crore project to take up repair works on State Highways in the district, Mahadev Prasad said.

Development of industries will be given priority in the district and a Road Show was held recently in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, to woo investors, he said. More than 150 industrialists have come forward to invest Rs 12,000 crore in the district, he added.
The process to acquire 1,362 acres of land is on. A Granite Park and a Oval Park will be set up, the minister said.

MLA C Puttarangashetty presided. ZP President Yashodha Prabhuswamy and others were present.

Hassan

District in-charge and Public Works Department Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, keeping aside the formal speech, which usually highlights the achievements of the government, explained about the importance of the Indian Constitution during the Republic Day celebrations in Hassan.

Delivering the R’Day message to the people, he stressed on freedom of speech and expression, priority to democratic values and equality, which has been highlighted in the Constitution. He also called upon the people to build a strong India.

MLA H S Prakash, MLC Patel Shivaram, ZP President Ambika Ramakrishna and others were present.

Mandya

Housing and District in-charge Minister Ambareesh spoke about the projects that have been sanctioned for various taluks of the district and importance given to drinking water schemes.

Delivering the Republic Day message, in Mandya, on Sunday, he announced Rs 450 crore worth projects for the district and funds released for drinking water works.

Financial aid

A financial aid of Rs 20 crore each for Mysore Sugar Company and Pandavapura Sahakara Sakkare Kharkane have been earmarked. About Rs 72 crore has been approved under Rajiv Awas Yojana for development of slum areas, which would begin soon, he said.

CMC President B Siddaraju, Vice-President Chandrakala, Deputy Commissioner B N Krishnaiah and others were present. Four government employees were felicitated for their meritorious service on the occasion.