Mysore/Mysuru: As part of Independence Day celebrations, memorial slabs (known as Shilaphalaka) honouring the sacrifice of martyred soldiers were unveiled in 256 Gram Panchayats (GPs) across the district on Tuesday. The occasion was marked by the hoisting of the National flag.

The Zilla Panchayat achieved a noteworthy feat by raising the national flag on the banks of lakes. This time, they introduced another innovative initiative — planting of saplings along lakeshores. Additionally, they unveiled the Veera Shilaphalaka dedicated to martyred soldiers, as part of Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav. Veera Shilaphalaka bears the name of the GP, the PM’s ‘Ghoshavakya,’ Vachanas of Basavanna and the names of martyred soldiers. These slabs are erected on the rejuvenated ‘Amrut Sarovar’ lakes, a result of the MNREGA scheme.

In Periyapatna, the flag was raised at locations including Hosakere Lake in Kudukur village (Bettadatunga GP limits), Akkikatte in Poonadahalli GP limits and Bidirukatte Amruta Sarovar of Anivalu in Haradur GP limits.

Similar events were organised in all 34 other GPs in the taluk, under the nationwide ‘Mera Matti Mera Desh’ campaign.