Mangaluru : District in-charge Minister B Ramanatha Rai hoisted national tri-colour flag to celebrate 69th 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 the state government waived agricultural loans in Dakshina Kannada district to the tune of 296.65 crore of 65,518 beneficiaries, government schemes like Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Manaswini and Vidyasiri have successfully touched the lives of the downtrodden. He said that ten Indira canteens will soon be set up in this district. He also mentioned about the setting up of 3D planatorium at Pilikula at a cost of Rs 35.69 crore, which is expected to be inaugurated shortly, he said

As regards healthcare, he mentioned that 33 new buildings have been provided to government hospitals in the district, and that two hospitals have been upgraded. He narrated that nine new hostels meant for the benefit of SC/ST students have been built in the district, while three residential schools have been constructed by spending Rs 3.93 crore. He also mentioned that 408 KSRTC buses were inroduced in the district and five stands were developed at cost of about Rs 18 crore. Bus passes to two lac students have been issued at a cost of Rs 69.6 lac,he stated.

The minister mentioned that PWD had laid 132 km of district roads and developed 312 km of main roads during the year. “Our PWD department also developed 372 km of state highways and built 33 bridges at a cost of Rs 44.30 crore,” he explained.

‘Sarvotham Seva Awards’ were presented to P N Revathi, Gokuldas Nayak, Gurumurthy A, N Shvaprakash, Sheshappa Bambila and Laman Poojary in recognition of their sincere and remarkable services.

Karnataka State Reserve Police contingent, city armed reserve police team, civil police team, women police contingent, home guards, Karnataka State fire service, NCC army, naval and air wings (senior), NCC army, air and naval wings (junior),scouts, guides, Bala Seva Dal(girls), Bala Seva Dal (boys), Rovers and Rangers, students of first grade government college at Balmatta in the city, and police band presented an attractive march past 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.