Mangaluru : District in-charge Minister B Ramanatha Rai hoisted national tri-colour flag to celebrate 68th Republic Day at Nehru Maidan here on January 26, Thursday.

Speaking after hoisting the national tri-colour and receiving the guard of honour, DK District in-charge Minister B Ramanatha Rai, said a total of 37 villages have been selected under Grama Vikasa scheme and special attention is being paid to these villages in terms of development, including basic infrastructure.

The minister said a total of 962 works related to drinking water have been completed in the district. While 414 road development works and drainage works have been taken up under Nagarotthanna scheme, 53 more such works will be taken up in the second phase at a cost of Rs 31 crore, he added.

Stressing the need to safeguard the rich culture and heritage of India, he said there is a need to bring the downtrodden to the mainstream of the society. “Only when every youth gets work, the fruits of democracy will reach all,” he felt.

Wenlock Hospital superintendent and district surgeon Dr Rajeshwari Devi H R, assistant executive engineer K P Girish Gowda, assistant agriculture officer Abdul Basheer, health officer Ammi and Idkidu gram panchayat secretary Gokuldas Bhaktha were felicitated with Sarvothama awards.

Similarly, Charmadi Hasanabba, Abdul Gafoor and Manohar were felicitated with ‘Life Saver’ awards. This apart, child achievers who were selected for Hoysala and Keladi Chennamma award under Women and Child Welfare department, too were honoured.

President’s Medal awardees Assistant Commissioner of Police Uday Nayak and another Assistant Commissioner of Police Valentine D’Souza too were honoured on the occasion.

As part of Republic Day programme, attractive cultural programmes by schoolchildren, march past by police personnel, police band team, NCC units and Bharath Seva Dal enthralled the viewers.

However, the old beauties in the form of a vintage car rally organised by Mangalore Motors and Sports Association stole the show.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLAs J R Lobo, B A Mohiuddin Bawa, Chief Whip in Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza, Mayor Harinath, zilla panchayat president Meenakshi Shanthigodu, deputy commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumara, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr M R Ravi, IGP (Western Range) Harishekharan, City Police Commissioner M Chandra Sekhar, Superintendent of Police Bhushan G Borase and others were present on the occasion.