Prasad calls for strengthening of defence forces

Revenue and district incharge Minister V Srinivas Prasad on Saturday gave a call to strengthen the defence forces to thwart the heightened activities of terrorism, communalism and also Naxalism.

Addressing a huge gathering, after hoisting the tricolour on the occasion  of the 69th Independence Day celebrations, organised by the district administration at the Oval Grounds, he said, “Social and economic equality should be ensured, while the media and the people in general should be cautious about external forces.”

Regretting the deterioration in values after the country attained Independence, the minister said, “It is the duty of every Indian to honour the values and principles that were practised by the freedom fighters.Otherwise, the country may take a backseat in development. The development of a country depends on patriotism, organisational skills, secular feelings, honesty and social concern among others.”

Prize winners  
The Railway Police Force (RPF), led by PSI Rithesh Kumar, bagged the first prize for the parade in the armed category, followed by City Armed Reserve (CAR) police force, led by RSI Ramu and KSRP by RSI M N Prakash securing second and third prizes respectively.

Unarmed: National cadet corps (Air Force), led by Sharat Vinay, secured first prize, followed by Naval, led by N Arjun, and Army, led by S N Sagar.

In the girls section, Guides, led by Anusri, secured the first prize, followed by Jawahar Navodaya School, led by Pooja and Police Public School, led by Gurukiran.
Smita from Rangarao Foundation was awarded under specially-abled students category.

Police bands from District Armed Reserve (DAR) police force, KSRP and CAR police force were given special prizes.

Earlier, mounted police, KSRP, CAR, RPF, city traffic police, women police, home guards, citizen police, excise, fire and emergency services and NCC cadets took out a colourful parade.

Tributes to Kalam
A total of 350 students of St Joseph’s School, Bannimantap, presented a dance ballet paying tributes to the former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who passed away recently.

The students of Mahajana High School, K Puttaswamy School, Grace School, Mahadeshwara School, Government School, Kumbarkoppal and Citizen School, Nanjangud presented cultural programmes.