The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Large turnout despite tight security

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 16, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Large turnout despite tight security

Special Correspondent

SPECTACULAR SHOW: Students presenting a cultural programme during Independence Day celebrations at Bangalore's Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Grounds on Tuesday and (right) the Corps of Military Police personnel come out with a thrilling feat during the celebrations. — Photos: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE: There was a large turnout of members of the public at the Field Marshal Mankeshaw Parade Ground here to witness the Independence Day parade, despite tight security.

In view of the intelligence reports that terrorists might carry out attacks in the city, the police had made elaborate security arrangements for the celebrations.

Personnel from Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force and Karnataka State Reserve Police had been deployed around the ground.

A stunning display of daredevilry by the Shwet Ashw, a crack unit of the Corps of Military Police and cultural programmes by schoolchildren marked the 60th Independence Day celebrations.

The public applauded the riding skills of the Shwet Ashw, who displayed their skills in stunt riding. The gathering waved at the contingent that displayed reverse balancing, scissor crossing, parallel crossing, one leg riding, swimming, ladder climbing, break dance, fire jump, Sudharshan Chakra and sunbath on motorbikes. The contingent figures in the Guinness Book of records for travelling 315 metres with 151 men on 11 motorcycles.

Against 1,550 students last year, 2,150 schoolchildren, attired in varied colours, danced on the ground to the playing of patriotic songs.

This time, there was a variety in the cultural programmes in that eight schools run by the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike took part. However, most of the other institutions are regular participants in the Independence Day celebrations at the ground.

As many as 500 children of Dispensary Road and Tasker Town corporation high schools walked away with the first prize in the cultural programme category for their "Karnataka folk dance." Dances such as Somana Kunita, Karaga Kunita, Pooja Kunita, Patada Kunita and Keelu Kunita attracted the audience.

Nearly 600 children of Shantiniketan Trust School (High School), MICO Layout, Bangalore, presented the dance on the theme "the role of freedom fighters of India" to receive the second prize.

Nearly 500 children of Government Primary and High School, Agara, Bangalore, staged the "Mathru Bhoomi" for the third prize.

Children of Kathemaranahalli, Jooganahalli, Shivanagar, Prakashnagar and Rajajinagar (all in Rajajingar constituency) staged a dance ballet "Nithyothsava" and received a consolation prize.

Other winners

The other prize-winning contingents and schools are:

Group One: Border Security Force (BSF) - first, City Armed Reserve (CAR) Headquarters- second, CAR North - third.

Group two: Traffic wardens - first, St. John's Ambulance Brigade - second, Home Guards and Civil Defence - third.

Group three: NCC Boys - first, NCC Air Wing - second, NCC Neavy - third.

Group four: NCC Girls - first, Students Association for Road Safety (SARS) of Clarence Public School - second, SARS of Little Flower School - third.

Group five: Ramana Mahashri School for the Blind - first, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) students from Molakalmuru in Chitradurga district - second, Samarthanam Trust - third.

Group six: BSF Band- first, CAR Headquarters - second, KSRP first Battalion - third.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy gave away the prizes. He presented consolation prizes to Shwet Ashw for their motorcycle show. BMP Commissioner K. Jairaj, City Police Commissioner N. Achuta Rao and Bangalore Urban Deputy Commissioner M.A. Sadiq were present.

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