Mandya: Mandya district minister N Cheluvarayaswamy on Friday said Kannadigas made significant contributions to the freedom struggle, recalling freedom fighters like Kittur Rani Chennamma, Sangolli Rayanna, Gangadhar Rao Deshpande, and Nijalingappa.Speaking at the Independence Day celebrations at Sir M Visvesvaraya Stadium in Mandya, he highlighted the govt’s five guarantee schemes, saying they empowered women, ensured food security, and provided social security. In Mandya district, the Shakti scheme issued 15.3 crore free bus tickets worth Rs 411 crore. The Anna Bhagya scheme credited Rs 402 crore to 73.5 lakh beneficiaries, and Gruha Jyothi scheme benefited 4.9 lakh consumers with Rs 445 crore worth of free power. The Gruha Lakshmi scheme provided Rs 1,762 crore to women, and the Yuva Nidhi scheme disbursed Rs 3.3 crore to 5,942 unemployed youth.The toppers in the SSLC exam were honoured with a cash award, while those who did extremely well in SSLC from govt schools were given laptops.At MadikeriAmidst rain, Kodagu district administration celebrated Independence Day, led by district minister NS Boseraju. He said, “Kodagu, known for its natural beauty and as the birthplace of the Cauvery River, has a rich history of contributing to India’s freedom struggle, with notable leaders like Field Marshal KM Cariappa and General KS Thimmaiah.” Madikeri City Municipal Council president P Kalavathi, Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee district president Dharmaja Uthappa, DC Venkat Raja, SP K Ramarajan, ZP CEO Anand Prakash Meena, and others were present.At Chikkamagaluru, HassanChikkamagaluru and Hassan districts celebrated Independence Day. Chikkamagaluru district minister KJ George and revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda led the celebrations organised by the respective district administration.“Chikkamagaluru district, renowned for its coffee, tourism, and growing agriculture-based economy, has played a role in the growing economy. The state govt released Rs 250 crore for the development of the district,” George said.At Hassan, Krishna Byre Gowda said the nation witnessed growth since Independence, but it has a long way to go. There were many challenges and also threats, he said.At Shivamogga“The memory of freedom fighters will forever be etched in people’s minds,” said district minister Madhu Bangarappa, recalling the freedom fighters of Shivamogga district, particularly those from Isuru who fought against the British. Speaking at the I-Day celebrations at Nehru Stadium in Shivamogga, he noted that many notable personalities hailed from Shivamogga, including four chief ministers, renowned poets, socialists, and scholars. The minister announced that the district will become a tourism hub.
