State government committed to welfare of all, says Santosh Lad

Labour Minister and district-in-charge for Dharwad Santosh Lad said on Friday that the State government is committed to the welfare of all and in providing pro-people governance to people’s doorsteps.

Hoisting the national flag during the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the R.N. Shetty District Stadium in Dharwad on Friday, Mr. Lad said that the cooperation of everyone was essential to effectively implement the government schemes and to ensure the welfare of all.

Recalling the contribution of the freedom fighters and emphasising the responsibilities of every citizen, Mr. Lad said, “Independence Day is not just a holiday. It is a day to pay tribute to the freedom fighters and recall the values they stood for. It is a day to hoist national flag, recall our history and imbibe the quality of unity,” he said.

Recalling the freedom struggle and the sacrifice of lakhs of people, the Minister referred to the contributions and sacrifices of leaders from Dharwad district, namely Mailar Mahadevappa, R.R. Diwakar, Umabai Kundapur, and N.S. Hardikar, K.F. Patil, Narasimha Dabade, Deputy Channabasappa, Sir Siddappa Kambali, Aratal Rudragouda, and others.

“It is a matter of pride that the national flag is being produced at the Khadi Kendras in Bengeri in Hubballi and Garag near Dharwad”, he said.

Emphasising the need for changing oneself to change the world, the Minister called on everyone to follow the ideals enshrined in the Constitution framed by B.R. Ambedkar. “Independence is the day to reiterate our commitment towards building a strong nation”, he said.

Mr. Lad presented data on the benefits extended to various sections of the society that had been benefitted by the guarantee schemes like ‘Shakti’, ‘Gruhalaxmi’, ‘Gruha Jyoti’, ‘Anna Bhagya’ and ‘Yuvanidhi’. Under ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme 3,84,630 BPL families had been provided food security and under ‘Yuvanidhi’ ,6,951 youths had received assistance, he said.

The minister said that the district had exceeded the sowing target as sowing had been completed in 2.91 lakh ha against the target of 2.81 lakh ha. Already 13,143 quintals of various seeds and 56,660 MT of fertilisers had been distributed during the kharif season, he said.

He told the youngsters to remember the huge responsibility on their shoulders and called on them to imbibe the values propagated by Buddha, Basava and Ambedkar.

Chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti, Chairman of Karnataka Bal Vikas Academy Sangamesh Babaleshwar, Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad Divya Prabhu G.R.J., Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar, ZP CEO Bhuvanesh Patil, Supereintendent of Police Gunjan Arya and others were present.

Honoured

On the Independence Day, achievers and organisations from various fields including media were felicitated by the deputy commissioner. Senior journalists Gururaj Jamakahandi, Mohan Hegde, Manjunath Angadi, Nijagundi Dindalakoppa, Raveesh Pawar, B.M. Kedaranathswamy, Basavaraj Alagawadi and others were among those felicitated by the district administration.

Earlier, various contingents of Police, scouts and guides, NCC cadets and students took part in the march-past and presented guard of honour to the dignitaries. Later, various troupes of schoolchildren presented lively cultural performances.