Independence Day celebrated with fervour in MP

Bhopal, Aug 15 (UNI) Flag hoisting, march past by police and NCC cadets and display of tableux mark the country's 62nd Independence Day celebrations across Madhya Pradesh today.

Chief Minsister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of the march past at the main state-level function held at the Motilal Nehru Stadium in the state capital.

''Freedom is our birthright but its perpetuaity depends on our action,'' said Mr Chouhan in his speech.

He said that we get an oppurtunity to make our freedom more meaningful by improving the living standard of people and by ameliorating the infrastructure.

''A target has been set to distribute short-term loan of Rs 4,500 crore among farmers. Also, 31 lakh Kisan Credit Cards have been distributed so far,'' Mr Chouhan said.

Besides launching food processing policy, he also started National Agriculture Development Scheme in 18 districts.

Mr Chouhan took a salute of the combined march past of police, SAF, NCC cadets, NSS workers, Homeguard jawans besides scouts and guides was taken out in the parade ground.

His cabinet couleagues, including Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani, hoisted the tricolour at different district towns while the district collectors unfurled the National Flag at 14 district towns.

Mr Rohani honoured freedom fighters and Maintenance of Internal Security Act detainees by bestowing them coconut and shawl in Jabalpur.

Elaborate security arrangements were made in view of Independence Day.

The state government had already announced the remission in the sentences of different categories of prisoners on the occassion of Independence Day.

Reports from different districts said cultural programmes and pageantry were organised to celebrate the occassion with school children joining in thousands.

In schools special meals were served under the mid-day meal scheme to the children. Halwa, sabji, puri, kheer and laddoos were served to them.

UNI XC-KV 1800