Colourful performances mark Republic Day celebrations in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Thursday said Karnataka is among the most progressive states and has effectively implemented numerous novel and inclusive schemes. Fourteen Amrit Mahotsav programmes are in various stages of implementation, he said.

Speaking after receiving the guard of honour from the armed forces during the Republic Day celebrations at the Manekshaw Parade Grounds here on Thursday, greeted the crowd in Kannada and said that as per the Sustainable Development Goals report of 2020-21, Karnataka was ranked fourth and listed out the various achievements of the government in his 21-minute speech.

Various contingents including the police, dog squad, Home Guards, KSRP, CRPF, Bharat Seva Dal, schoolchildren, Bharat Scouts and Guides, NSS and even a contingent of the Kerala police took out a march. To commemorate National Voters Day, the Election Commission had a tableau with the message “I will vote”.

Artist Sunitha and team presented the Naada Geethe and the Raitha Geethe following which there were numerous cultural programmes.

About 750 students from the Karnataka Public School, Uttarahalli, presented a dance-drama on Dr B R Ambedkar while 650 students from the BBMP schools on Magadi Road and Vijayanagar presented a performance on farmers. Students from Siri School and Sri Vishnu International School, Laggere, also presented performances on Bharat Mata.

Personnel from the MEG and Centre presented a Kalaripayattu performance while the Army Service Corps (ASC) Tornados also displayed their skills with motorcycle formations and stunts.

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot also presented awards to the winners of the cultural events and the marching contingents.

Around 1,200 policemen were deployed at Manekshaw parade ground to ensure security while 172 personnel in plainclothes were also deployed. Fifty six CCTV cameras were installed in the parade ground and 100 around it. Traffic was also diverted during the event. Ten platoons of the KSRP and CAR, three fire tenders, two ambulances, one quick reaction team, metal detectors, etc were also deployed.