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Udupi, Aug 15: The Udupi district administration celebrated the 69th Independence Day with a colourful ceremony at MGM grounds here on Saturday August 15.District incharge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake received the guard of honourand hoisted the National Flag.

Delivering his Independence Day speech, Sorake said, "While we celebrate Independence Day, we should also remember the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters. Our founding fathers envisioned a country built on the principles of equality, justice and freedom for all. It is the duty and responsibility of each citizen to fulfill that vision."We must reflect on how far we have been able to provide justice and equality to all. The Karnataka government has introduced schemes such as ’Anna Bhagya’, ’Ksheera Bhagya’, ’Vidyasiri’ and others in an effort to bring about equality and strengthen the less fortunate sections of society. Similarly, we have initiated several schemes for the welfare of youth, labourers and farmers.

"Udupi has created a niche for itself in religious, educational and cultural fields. Tourism, banking, medical and hospitality services of Udupi have made their mark in other states too. Udupi, which came first and second in this year’s SSLC and PU exams respectively, is a role model to the state in terms of education. I congratulate every person involved in imparting education in the district," he said.

"Free laptops have been distributed to top ten SSLC students of every taluk in the district by Kollur, Mandarthi and Ambalpady temples. This way, talents are being recognized," he added."The Karnataka government is giving much importance to agricultural sector and farmers. In Udupi district, 1,558 agricultural machineries have been distributed in the last two years at a cost of Rs 725.72 lac.

He also informed that the agricultural and other related departments have undertaken a agricutural campaign under the slogan ’Ilakhegala Nadige - Raitara Bagilige’ (departments’ walk towards farmers’ doors) in nine hoblis in the district in order to boost the confidence of farmers. Also, three agricultural machinery centres, each in Ajekar, Brahmavar and Byndoor have been set up to lend equipment to farmers at low costs, he said.

A grant of Rs 224.16 lac has been set aside under the National Food Security Programme, he added. A sum of Rs 226.10 lac has been earmarked for construction of vented dams, retainer walls and so on for preservation of soil and water, he said.He also informed that six beaches in Udupi district will be developed at a cost of Rs 913 lac under the tourism department. Also, Rs 50 lac has been released for construction of tourist guest house near Karkala Jain Temple, and Rs 43.50 lac for construction of toilets near Karkala Gommateshwar Betta, Attur Church and Irvattur Jain Temple.

In view of the upcoming Paryaya in 2016, roads in Udupi will be developed, and an action plan has been prepared to provide basic amenities at cost of Rs 10 crore to public and tourists.He also listed out programmes like educational tours for students under the tourism department at a cost of Rs 25.20 lac, employment schemes for youth and so on. As many as 4,331 families in Udupi are benefiting from the scheme to provide rice at concessional rates to APL card holders, he said.Also, 99,920 students in the district are given milk three times a week.

Rs 25 lac has been released for appointment of 55 teachers on temporary bases for schools located in Naxal-affected areas.As many as 2,754 families will get new houses, and 500 will get help to install bio gas facilities.Regarding road development, he said 13.6 kilometres of state highway with an outlay of Rs 830 lac and 53.37 kilometres of major district roads are being repaired by the public works department.
Under SEP TSP plan, Rs 488.52 lacs has been spent and Rs 922.26 lac is being spent for rural roads.

Rs 568 lac has been spent for Kodi bridge. Palimaru-Inna-Mundkur road repair and bridge work is being carried out. Rs 2,590 lac has been approved for 8 bridges in the district. Rs 4.9 crore has been spent for the completion of Kundapur mini Vidhana Soudha which has become operational. Rs 10 crore will be spent on Udupi mini Vidhana Soudha. ‘Revenue adalat’ to address the land records problems of farmers has been introduced with 320 adalats and 18451 applications have been handled.

’Padasale’ a single window scheme has been introduced in taluk centres at a cost Rs 18. 50 lac. This will help the commoners to get all services under one roof, he said.Udupi has achieved 91% registration and attained 2nd position in the state with 10, 58,000 Aadhar registrations.

The district ranks first in sending reports to the government regarding developments and implementation of plans, Sorake added.Proper social security arrangements have been made in the district. 56,351 persons under Sandhya Suraksha, 32768 widows, 2183 persons under Manaswini, 21 persons under Maithri scheme, 3815 under old age scheme, 13615 persons under physically challenged category have been receiving monthly pensions in the district.

Central Vidyalaya has been approved for the district and 10 acres for the Vidyalaya and 5 acres for driving track have been reserved.

A proposal to allot 25 acres at Uppoor near Brahmavar for police training school has been sent to the government.

68 acres of land has been given to industrial development corporation for setting up industrial estate at Belapu. Tenders worth Rs 761 lac have been called and there is a progress of 40 % on the work.64 plots in 37 acres will be ready for possession by this year end.

Regional science centre in the district has been approved. Efforts are being made to set up medical colleges in the district. 4722 people will get a compensation of Rs 272 crore for the 98.53 hectares land submitted for the widening of roads. Four laning of highway work is also in progress.

National cyclone risk mitigation scheme is implemented with 75:25 centre state partnership with an outlay of Rs 40 crore with the help of World Bank.

Chief minister has laid the foundation for the state-of-the-art research centre at Belapu with an outlay of Rs 141.38 crore. The project comes under the Mangaluru university, he said.

As many as 22 educational institutions participated in the colourful parade. Sorake and other guests felicitated SSLC and PUC toppers. Laptops were distributed to four toppers on the occasion.

Vibrant and colourful cultural programmes were held by various schools. Mukunda Kripa English Medium School, Udupi, Adi Udupi High School, Government Samyukta High School, Olakadu, Government Girls’ PU College, Mahatma Gandhi PU College, Kunjibettu Udupi, Indrali English Medium School, U Kamala Bai, Kadiyali students sang patriotic songs.

DC R Vishal, ASP Santhosh Kumar, MLA Pramod Madhwaraj, district CEO Kanagavalli, ZP president Savitha Shivanand, CMC president Yuvaraj and others were present.

Meanwhile, DSS activists held a protest seeking immediate arrest of landlord Gopalkrishna Gowda, who allegedly chopped off Dalit Sundar Malekudiya’s fingers in Neriya in Beltangady taluk.

The DSS leader Jayant Malpe and other members submitted a memorandum to DC R Vishal in this regard.

(Photos From Devadas Kamath )