Sadhikara Mithra members walk through the muddy Police Parade Ground during the Independence Day celebrations, in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. more-in The incessant rain in the morning failed to dampen the patriotic spirit of the denizens, political leaders, government officials as the 72nd Independence Day was celebrated with fervour by the district administration at the Police Parade Ground on Wednesday. However, schoolchildren who were supposed to present patriotic dances, songs and skits at the venue were disappointed as the cultural programmes had to be cancelled as the ground was wet. However, the children, in attires suitable to their scheduled performances, were seen moving on the ground and waving the Tricolour. The tableau put up by various departments to showcase their achievements moved at a snail’s pace as the track was wet and the slush slowed the wheels. Deputy Chief Minister N. Chinarajappa, who participated as the chief guest, unfurled the tricolour inspected the guard of honour from the police, NCC, National Green Corps contingents. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Chinarajappa, who is also the in-charge Minister for the district, listed out the achievements of the city and district, on various counts. Development plank “The government is according a priority to agriculture and efforts are being made to complete all the irrigation projects within the deadline. The Polavaram Left Main canal will provide irrigation facilities to 1.45 lakh hectares,” he said. Referring to the ‘Gnanabheri’ programme, the Minister said the move was aimed at bringing out the hidden talents among students and providing them skill training. “Digital, virtual and online classes have been started at government schools to provide quality education to the students on par with their counterparts in corporate schools,” Mr. Chinarajappa said. Funds have been sanctioned for promotion of tourism in Visakhapatnam in a big way, he said and listed out the proposed projects including development of beaches, resorts, hotels and boating clubs. “The rural areas of the district are being developed under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) to create basic amenities such as CC roads, farm ponds and Aanganwadi buildings,” he added. ZP Chairperson Lalam Bhavani, MP K. Haribabu, MLCs M.V.V.S. Murthi and P.V.N. Madhav, MLAs Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar, Vishnu Kumar Raju, V. Ramakrishna Babu, Collector Pravin Kumar, DCP Fakeerappa, GVMC Commissioner M. Harinarayanan, VUDA Vice-Chairman Basant Kumar, SP (Visakhapatnam Rural) Rahul Dev Sharma, Joint Collector G. Srijana and Assistant Collector K. Dinesh Kumar were among those who attended the programme.

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