Mysore/Mysuru: As part of Gowri-Ganesha festival and to celebrate 75 years of Independence, city-based Kamakshi Hospital distributed free uniforms to hundreds of auto drivers at a simple function held at the Hospital premises on Thursday.

Mahesh Shenoy, Managing Director of the Hospital, distributed free uniforms to the auto drivers. Speaking on the occasion, he lauded the services of auto drivers who work day and night. “They are doing the good work of ensuring the safety of passengers who come from distant places during night and drop them to their destinations,” he added.

BJP leader Yashaswini Somashekar, who spoke on the occasion, said that it was Lokamanya Balagangadhara Tilak who started the public celebrations of Ganesha festival to unite people and create awareness against the British. “Tilak showed that even a scattered society can be organised religiously. Most of the festivals are restricted to individual and family affairs. If we celebrate one or two festivals with public participation, society will be strengthened and that will in turn be converted as the strength of the nation. With this strength, India can emerge as a powerful nation in the world,” he opined.

BJP leader Parameshgowda, Vikram Iyengar, Akhilesh, Ajay Shastri, auto drivers Ashwath, Manu, Pradeep Naveen and others were present on the occasion.