Republic Day was celebrated with joy and fervour across North Karnataka districts on Sunday. The celebrations were also held in private offices, schools, colleges and other organisations in the region.
In Belagavi, Minister Satish Jarkiholi unfurled the national flag and received the guard of honour.
He spoke of the life and contribution of B.R. Ambedkar and also, the Constitution.
“It is the Constitution that makes citizens with its enforceable fundamental rights. We should realise that it is for all and not for any particular group,” he said.
He said that the State government released ₹25 crore for celebrating the centenary celebrations of the visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Belagavi to chair the 1924 Belgaum Congress session.
School students presented a variety of cultural performances. The Minister felicitated various achievers and the students who won prizes in various competitions.
Police Commissioner Iada Martin Marbaniang, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, Superintendent of Police Bheemashankar S. Guled and others were present.
In Haveri, Minister Shivanand Patil inaugurated the celebrations. He spoke of the Constitutional values that gave an independent India the shape of a republic and urged the young to inculcate those values.
In Dharwad, Minister Santosh Lad unfurled the tricolour and offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar.
He spoke of the achievements of the Congress government in the State and development works in the district. He said that the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has fulfilled all the five guarantees it promised during the Assembly elections.
He emphasized the need for all Indians to be united to fight those indulging in anti-national activities and alleviate the problems of poverty, unemployment and illiteracy.
Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Bhuvanesh Patil, Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar, Superintendent of Police Gopal Byakod and other officials were present.
At a function at the High Court of Karnataka in Dharwad judge B.N. Shymaprasad unfurled the national flag and explained the role being played by the judiciary in protecting the democratic set-up. Judges Ashok S. Kinagi, Hemant Chandanagoudar, Sanjeevkumar Hanchate, Ravi Hosamani, Umesh Adiga, Ramachandra Huddar and others were present.
In Bagalkot, Minister R.B. Timmapur said that the Congress government is committed to implementing the Upper Krishna Project Phase III and it will acquire 73,000 acres of land required for it.
He also announced that Akka Cafe will be started in Jamkhandi and Mudhol and 100 Sahodari Sanjeevini canteens will operate in all gram panchayats in the district.
In Vijayapura, district in-charge Minister M.B. Patil unfurled the national flag. He received the guard of honour from the police, NCC, Home Guards and others. He emphasised the importance of reading the Constitution to keep India’s democracy vibrant.
Deputy Commissioner T. Bhoobalan, Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi, Zills Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Rishi Anand and others were present.
