The 69th Independence Day was observed with patriotic spirit on the Fort premises in Madikeri on Saturday.

The marchpast by police, Scouts and Guides, NCC, NSS, and students and cultural programmes by the schoolchildren added colours to the celebrations. 

Speaking on the occasion, District In-charge Minister K J George said the State government is ready to respond to the woes of the farmers. The farmers should not take extreme steps to end lives. Freedom should not be misused. It should be used for the welfare of all, he added.

St Joseph High School student Sreeja and Dechamma were felicitated for securing highest marks in SSLC examination. The highest scorers in second PUC examination --- Ahalya Appacchu, B M Neelamma, Amrita Girish, Preethi Riya Pinto and Uthappa  --- were also felicitated.

The schoolchildren danced to patriotic songs on the occasion. In the cultural programmes, General Thimmaiah Public School team won first place while St Michael High School and Rajarajeshwari School teams stood second and third.

Guides team of St Joseph High School, Sevadala of St Michael School and Scouts of Rajarajeswari School won first, second and third place respectively in the marchpast category. Hoovaiah Gowda, who had entered into the Ginnessh Book of World Records for growing 41-feet tall sugarcane, was also felicitated. Valley Dew team presented traditional Kodava dance. Rajesh and team from Mandya presented Dollu Kunitha on the occasion.