Over 2,500 schoolchildren add colour to R-Day parade

Four schools bag prizes for their awe-inspiring performances

performing at the 65th Republic Day celebrations at the Manekshaw Parade Grounds in Bangalore on Sunday. — Photo: V Sreenivasa Murthy

Cultural programmes by more than 2,500 schoolchildren and a show of Malkhamb by the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment Centre (MLIRC), Belgaum, were some of the highlights of the 65th Republic Day celebrations at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Grounds here on Sunday.

On the sunny Sunday morning, an Air Force helicopter showered rose petals on the podium where Governor H.R. Bhardwaj hoisted the national flag.

Contingents from the Indian Air Force, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Karnataka State Reserve Police, City Armed Reserve, Home Guards, National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme volunteers and Bharat Seva Dal members presented the march past which was a show of discipline and authority.

In the heavily guarded event, as many as 2500 schoolchildren danced for nearly an hour to the rhythm of patriotic songs, and many other students presented several other cultural programmes. The audience cheered the performing children.

In recognition of their awe-inspiring performance, students of the Government High School, Bagalakunte, Bangalore North taluk, won the first prize in the cultural programme category for their 11-minute dance on the theme ‘Navellaru Onde Namagonde Bharata’. The dance depicted unity in diversity.

Students of Shams School, Electronic City, secured the second prize.

Students of the N.B.N. Vidyamandira, Bannerghatta, bagged the third prize.

And, students of Max Muller High School, KHB Colony, Basaveshwaranagar, got the consolation prize.

Led by Subedar Ashok Gunjal, MLIRC personnel received several rounds of applause from the audience for their show of Malkhamb. The team was given a special prize in recognition of their breathtaking performance.

On the occasion, the Governor presented awards to different contingents who participated in the parade led by Commander Saurav Kapur.

Department of Kannada and culture

Patriotic songs, dance ballets and folk dances formed part of the Republic Day cultural programme organized by the Department of Kannada and Culture here on Sunday.

Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who were supposed to attend the annual programme, did not turn up at the event. The organizers announced both the dignitaries were unable to make it to the programme owing to ‘important’ work.

K.R. Niranjan , Secretary, Department of Kannada and Culture and other senior officials of the department were present.