Mysuru: The 80th Independence Day was celebrated with patriotic fervour at the Torchlight Parade Grounds, Bannimantap yesterday. Minister for Urban Development and District In-charge Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah hoisted the Tricolour in the presence of various district officers.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Yathindra said that the country, which was backward at the time of Independence, is progressing with overall development based on the ethos of the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Gradually, the country evolved stronger through several welfare schemes, including the five-year plans, championed by the far-sighted vision of great administrators like former Prime Ministers late Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri, among others.
On this occasion, the Maharajas of Mysuru, especially Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, should be duly remembered for their enormous contributions to irrigation, art, literature, agriculture, basic infrastructure, transport, communication, health and education, said Dr. Yathindra.
Drinking water shortage
Highlighting the current scenario, he said there had been a scarcity of drinking water in Mysuru district, with the reservoirs recording storage levels below the actual predictions.
However, drinking water supply remains the main priority of the Government. Wherever water is essential, a grant of Rs. 4.5 crore was sanctioned to Mysuru district to drill new borewells, recharge old borewells, rent private borewells and supply water through tankers. Later, Rs. 1 crore was allocated to each of the Assembly Constituencies in the district.
The ambitious five guarantee schemes in Mysuru district have been receiving an overwhelming response over the last three years. Under the Shakti Scheme, free tickets valued at Rs. 49.56 crore have been issued to women travellers on KSRTC buses, while ticket expenses of Rs. 1,300 crore have been borne by the Government.
Under the Anna Bhagya scheme, 22.24 lakh beneficiaries holding 6.78 lakh Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards are being given 10 kg of essentials throughFair Price Shops.
Under the Gruha Jyoti scheme, 9.06 lakh (9,06,984) consumers have registered and, till the end of June, Rs. 1,411 crore has been reimbursed towards the supply of free electricity.
Under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, 6.71 lakh beneficiaries have been given financial assistance of Rs. 4,100 crore through 31 instalments. Under the Yuva Nidhi scheme, as many as 18,488 candidates have enrolled, with Rs. 44.12 crore credited through Direct Benefit Transfer till June.
A grand march past
Earlier, Dr. Yathindra inspected the parade from an open jeep, with City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar accompanying him.
In all, 23 troops, including Mounted Police, Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), City Armed Reserve (CAR), District Armed Reserve (DAR), Devaraja, Krishnaraja, Narasimharaja, Vijayanagar, Traffic and Women’s Police personnel, Home Guards, Fire and Emergency Services, Army, Navy and Air Force personnel, students of Police Public School and Navodaya, Seva Dal boys and girls, Guides, pourakarmikas of Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and visually challenged students of Government Blind School, Tilaknagar, took part in the march past.
Students of Government High School, Nizamiya, Government High School, N.R. Mohalla, Government High School, Ghousianagar, Government High School, Medar Block, Government High School, People’s Park, and Maharaja Government Composite PU College performed to the song ‘Saare Jahaan Se Achha’, kindling patriotic spirit.
Students of Paramahamsa Niketana School, Hebbal, and Andalus School also presented cultural programmes.
Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, Additional Deputy Commissioner R. Aishwarya, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) S. Ukesh Kumar, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha, Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi, DCP (Law and Order) Dr. Harsha Priyamvada, DCP (Crime and Traffic) K.S. Sundar Raj and other officers were present.
This post was published on August 16, 2026 7:30 pm