The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Cloudy sky, tight security did not dampen their spirit

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Saturday, Aug 16, 2008
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Karnataka - Bangalore

Cloudy sky, tight security did not dampen their spirit

Special Correspondent

There was good turnout at the Independence Day celebrations

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

Patriotic fervor: Children presenting a cultural programme at the Manekshaw Parade Ground in Bangalore on the occasion of Independence Day on Friday.

BANGALORE: Despite the cloudy sky and tight security, there was a large turnout at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground to witness the Independence Day parade.

In the wake of the recent blasts, the police had made elaborate security arrangements for the celebrations. Personnel from the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force and Karnataka State Reserve Police had been deployed around the ground.

Even two Mahatma Gandhi look-alikes — Ramanna, a labourer from Haveri, and Chandrashekar Achar, a retired government employee from Bangalore — were frisked despite their minimal khadi clothing.

Over 2,250 schoolchildren, dressed in a riot of colours, danced to the melodies of patriotic songs.

Chief Minster B.S. Yeddyurappa announced cash awards of Rs. 10,000 each to all schools that participated in the celebrations at 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 Independence Day celebrations. A sum of Rs. 10,000 was also announced for Shwet Ashw.

The public applauded the riding skills of the Shwet Ashw, which displayed their skills in stunt riding.

The gathering waved at the contingent that displayed reverse balancing, scissor crossing, parallel crossing, one leg riding, ladder climbing, break dance, fire jump and Sudharshan Chakra on motorbikes.

The contingent figures in the Guinness Book for travelling 315 metres with 151 men on 11 motorcycles.

This time, there was variety in the cultural programmes in that eight government schools 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 BBMP High Schools of Kasturbanagar and Mysore Road in the city, walked away with the first prize in the cultural programme category for their “Revolt of Halagali Warriors.” The revolt of Halagali warriors played a significant role in the freedom movement. Warriors from Halagali village of Mudhol in Bijapur district revolted against the British in 1860.

Nearly 600 children of the Government Model Kannada and Tamil Primary School, Cleave Town, and Government Higher Primary School, Pottery Town, Bangalore, presented the dance on the theme “Emerging India,” and received the second prize.

As many as 550 children of Government Primary and High Schools, Gottigere, and Weavers’ Colony, Bangalore, staged the “Vasudeva Kuttumbakam” and got the third prize. Children of Government High Schools of Juganahalli and Kadabagere, Bangalore, staged a dance ballet “Motherland.” They got a consolation prize.

Other winners

The other prize-winning contingents and schools were:

Group One: City Armed Reserve (CAR)— first; Border Security Force — second; CAR North — third.

Group two: Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services (men) — first; Traffic wardens — second; Home Guards and Civil Defence — third.

Group three: Students’ Association for Road Safety (SARS) of Clarence Public School — first; NCC (Air Wing) — second; NCC (Navy) — third.

Group four: Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services (women) — first; Bharat Seva Dal — second; SARS of Little Florence School — third.

Group five: Ramana Mahashri School for the Blind — first; Samarthanam Trust — second; Hamsadwani for Deaf and Dumb — third.

The Chief Minister gave away the prizes. BBMP Commissioner S. Subramanya, city Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari and other officials attended the programme.

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