Malnad Districts Host Vibrant Republic Day Celebrations with Cultural and Agricultural Focus
The picturesque Malnad districts of Chikkamagaluru and Hassan came alive with festive spirit on Monday, marking the 77th Republic Day with a blend of floral displays and agricultural promotions. Energy Minister KJ George, who serves as the Chikkamagaluru district in-charge, inaugurated Chaitrotsava, a captivating three-day flower show organized by the district administration and horticulture department.
This grand event featured over 100 stalls, showcasing a diverse array of blooms and horticultural innovations. Simultaneously, in Hassan, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda launched a dedicated millets and potato mela. Minister Gowda emphasized the event's core objective: to revitalize potato cultivation in the region.
Reviving Hassan's Potato Heritage and Promoting Organic Farming
While Hassan potato holds significant historical value, its cultivation has witnessed a notable decline over the past decade. The minister passionately urged local farmers to embrace organic potato cultivation practices, positioning it as a sustainable and profitable agricultural venture for the future.
Mandya Showcases Development Model and Regularizes Grassroots Workers
In Mandya, the Republic Day celebrations were held with immense patriotic fervor at the Sir M Visvesvaraya Stadium, presided over by District Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy. The minister paid rich tributes to the nation's freedom fighters and eloquently described the Constitution as the sacred thread that binds India's rich emotional, cultural, and administrative diversity.
He underscored that constitutional values remain the guiding force for governance and policy-making in Karnataka. Highlighting the state government's development agenda, Minister Cheluvarayaswamy detailed the success of the "Mandya Model", which ensures balanced growth across all constituencies.
Substantial Infrastructure Investment and Staff Regularization
An allocation of Rs 325 crore has been earmarked for critical infrastructure works within the district. In a landmark decision aimed at securing the livelihoods of grassroots workers, approval was granted to regularize 590 gram panchayat staff members. These individuals, serving as watermen, cleaners, and attenders, were appointed within Mandya district limits prior to October 31, 2017.
The official order copies were formally distributed during the Republic Day function. Zilla Panchayat CEO KR Nandini acknowledged that the successful completion of this regularization process was achieved through the coordinated efforts of the district administration and elected representatives.
Madikeri Announces Major Educational and Healthcare Upgrades
The celebrations in Madikeri, Kodagu district, were led by Minister NS Boseraju at the General Thimayya Stadium. Addressing the gathering, he announced several transformative projects for the region's development. To support students, two new 100-seat hostels will be constructed at Ponnampet and Kushalnagar for medical and engineering students.
Furthermore, an allocation of Rs 12.3 crore has been sanctioned for establishing a sub-regional science centre and observatory at Madikeri. The healthcare infrastructure is set for a significant boost with the upgradation of Virajpet Hospital to a 250-bed facility, while Kushalnagar and Gonikoppal Hospitals will be enhanced to 100-bed and 50-bed capacities, respectively. The event was attended by Madikeri MLA Manthar Gowda, DC S J Somashekar, ZP CEO Anand Prakash Meena, and SP Bindu Mani.
Shivamogga Honors Literary Legacy and Unveils Development Works
In Shivamogga, District Minister Madhu Bangarappa addressed the gathering, reminding everyone that Republic Day is a sacred occasion to celebrate the enforcement of the world's greatest Constitution, paying homage to its architect, BR Ambedkar. He stressed the paramount importance of instilling constitutional values in children from a young age.
Minister Bangarappa eloquently highlighted Shivamogga's profound historical and cultural significance. He noted that this land is the birthplace of Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, who spread the message of Vishwamanava (Universal Man), and Jnanpith awardee UR Ananthamurthy, who sparked a new literary wave.
Healthcare Advancements and Resolution of Land Rights Issues
On the development front, several key projects are underway in the district, including the upgradation of McGann District Hospital and the establishment of a Kidwai-model cancer hospital. Approvals for the outpatient department, dormitory block, and trauma centre are expected soon. The minister also affirmed the government's special interest in resolving the long-standing issues of Sharavathi backwater victims and Bagir Hukum cultivators, addressing critical land rights concerns.
Chamarajanagar Focuses on Tourism, Heritage, and Drought Management
At the Republic Day celebrations in Chamarajanagar, held at Dr BR Ambedkar Stadium, District Minister K Venkatesh outlined the state government's multifaceted initiatives for the region. The focus areas include the promotion of tourism, preservation of folk heritage, and the conservation of the district's rich flora and fauna, alongside measures to prevent human-animal conflict.
Minister Venkatesh also issued clear directions to the district administration and zilla panchayat to tackle the ongoing drought situation effectively and alleviate the drinking water crisis. The event saw the presence of MLAs C Puttarangashetty and AR Krishnamurthy, CADA chairman P Mariswamy, CUDA chairman Mohammed Asghar, deputy commissioner B Roopa, ZP CEO Monaroth, and superintendent of police M Mutthuraj.
These district-level celebrations across Karnataka not only commemorated the spirit of the Republic but also served as platforms for announcing significant developmental projects and addressing local agricultural, infrastructural, and social welfare needs, reflecting the state's commitment to holistic growth.
