Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar on Monday stressed the need to honour the principles of social justice, democracy and secularism enshrined in the Constitution.
Speaking after unfurling the National flag as part of the Republic Day programme at the parade ground of District Armed Reserve Police here, Mr. Ratnakar hailed the statute as a unique document that not only contained directives on governance and formation of State policies but also advocated the principles such as equality and liberty.
The State government had displayed its commitment to alleviation of hunger by launching the Anna Bhagya scheme. To ensure access to nutritious food for schoolchildren, the Ksheera Bhagya scheme had been launched. A total of 1,83,227 schoolchildren and 1,06,058 children in anganawadi centres in the district were benefiting from this scheme, he said.
The District Police, District Armed Reserve Police, Home Guards and National Cadet Corps participated in the parade. Students of various schools and colleges presented cultural programmes.
Dance-drama presentedHassan Staff Correspondent reports:
A dance-drama, depicting India’s freedom movement, presented by the students of five schools enthralled the audience here on Monday. Nearly 2,000 students participated in the dance-drama, which began with Tipu Sultan’s war against British.
It recalled the fight put up by Kittur Rani Chennamma and Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai against the British and ended with paying tributes to freedom fighters, who sacrificed their lives for Independence. H.C. Mahadevappa, Minister for Public Works and in-charge of Hassan district, was impressed with the programme and announced a cash award of Rs.10,000 to the students’ group.
Earlier, the Minister unfurled the National Flag and inspected the Republic Day parade.
In his address, the Minister said India’s Constitution was among the best in the world. B.R. Ambedkar and others, who played a prominent role in framing the Constitution, gave equal rights to all sections of society.
‘Overall development’Mandya Staff Correspondent reports:
Stating that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led government gave top priority for a comprehensive development of the State, Housing Minister and in-charge of Mandya district, M.H. Ambareesh said overall development of the State was high on the agenda of the State government.
Schemes launchedDelivering the Republic Day address after unfurling the National Flag here on Monday, Mr. Ambareesh said, “We have introduced several popular programmes like Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Arogyashree, Arogya Bhagya and Jyoti Sanjeevini. We have waived the loans taken by farmers and are giving incentives to milk producers.”
The government had established ‘Ananya’, the first extension counter of the Karnataka State Women’s University (KSWU) in the district. A Kendriya Vidyalaya would be opened at B. Hosuru colony in the coming academic year, Mr. Ambareesh said.
He listed out various other programmes, including Kandaya Adalat, Pension Adalat and mobile court, introduced by the State government.