Puttige: “We are on the threshold of becoming one of the super powers of the world if the nation comes together to stand up together said I.N Rai , ex officer of the Indian Army, who served the nation for 34 long years .

He was speaking on the 67th Republic Day celebration held at Alva’s Education Foundation. 67 years before, India was a land rich in resources and wealth. The spoil done to our country by the foreign powers still remain in our land but India still has the world’s largest youth resources. Today India is backing away. Recent unpleasant crimes and incidents have backed India out of the tracks of its development. We are poor not because we have less resources but because we lack a positive attitude toward our motherland. Indian should awaken to the concept of “Swabhimana” and “Aathmagaurava” which will uplift India. Speaking on the occasion he said “he had never seen a more dynamic Republic Day celebration in his life where people are well organized, disciplined and massive. Expressing his pride for the nation he said” Be an Indian worth fighting for.”

The Alva’s Republic Day celebration started off in all pomp and colour. The event was flourished with 100 tri colour flags fluttering high, more than 100 tri coloured umbrellas and about 4000 students forming the Indian flag which added to the glory of the 67th Republic Day Celebration of the AEF. With freedom in mind, pride in heart the celebration went off in all glory and honour. The event started off with the guard of honour of the chief guest. Shortly later, 18 contingents from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and nearby colleges marched to the tune of the band. It was followed by the chanting of Vande Mataram lead by Ramesh Chandra and party from Bangalore and the hoisting of the flag by the chief guest. The Indian Flag fluttering high and proud flowed the fragrance of freedom, pride and independence into the hearts and minds of the people all over. The flag hoist was followed by the singing of the Integration song when the whole of the institution with fluttering flags sang the song out aloud.

Captain Ganesh Karnik, MLC who was also present in his speech said ’’ India has become corrupt, lethargic, and a loud talking country after 70 years. Quoting from the words of General Chatttur he said “the safety, honour, welfare of my country should come first, the safety, honour, welfare of my men should come next and finally my safety, honour and welfare should come last. We should contribute all our might for the welfare of our country, he said.

The chairman of AEF, Mr. M. Mohan Alva, 250 ex officers of the Indian army along with their families and other delegates were also present during the programme.