CM leads Goa in celebrating 62nd I-Day

Panaji, Aug 15 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today led the state in celebrating the country's62nd Independence Day by unfurling the national flag at a colorful parade at the Old Secretariat complex on the banks of river Mandovi.

Mr Kamat also reviewed the parade after receiving the ceremonial guard of honour presented by a police contingent.

The chief minister later presented President's Medals to DGP B S Brar, Honorary Platoon (Home Guards) Commanders Ramdas Morgaonkar, Uday Kudtarkar and Ulhas Talwar before addressing the parade.

Mr Kamat along with the freedom fighters and other dignitaries later paid floral tributes to the departed leaders at the Martyrs' Memorial at Patradevi near Pernem in North Goa.

The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs had organised ''prabhat pheri'' for children and citizens, besides cycle races and Marathons as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

Meanwhile, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao hoisted the national flag at the South Goa collectorate building in the commercial city of Margao, while home minister Ravi Naik led the function at Kranti Maidan, Ponda.

The Raj Bhavan Old Secretariat Building, Directorate of Accounts, Panaji and new Secretariat building at Porvorim were illuminated for the celebrations.

Meanwhile, Goa Governor Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu, in his message, appealed to the people to rededicate themselves to accelerate the pace of progress and well being of the state and the nation.

''Despite our laudable attainments in the past in Goa, there are still some areas which require a focused attention, sustained commitment and determination to attain higher level of progress and inclusive growth,'' he said.

He urged the people to be vigilant and sensitive to fissiparous and terrorist forces.

Dr Sidhu lauded Goa's glorious history, its distinct culture and identity and said, ''The future of Goa rests largely on the imaginative and synergistic blending of precious human and natural resources. Every citizen should zealously contribute to this great cause.'' He hoped that there will be wholehearted co-operation and support of the citizens and various stakeholders to all the major development initiatives and broad-based programmes being formulated by the state government, aimed at creating a better tomorrow for the people of Goa.

The Governor will host a state reception at Raj Bhavan in the evening.

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