Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, CM KCR launch India's independence celebrations

Hyderabad: Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday launched the celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of India's independence by unfurling the national flag at two places in the State. While the Chief Minister hoisted the national flag at Public Gardens in Hyderabad, the governor unfurled the Tricolour at Warangal.

A police march past, release of balloons in the air and cultural programmes marked the two ceremonies, which were held with Covid-19 protocols in place. Speaking at the ceremony in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister urged all and public representatives' officials to participate in the celebrations, which will be held over the next 75 weeks till August 15, 2022.

"Independence Day should not lose its relevance," he said and appealed to all to make the programmes a success. KCR, as Rao is popularly known, said all ministers, MPs, MLA, MLCs and other public representatives should rise above politics and party affiliations and take part in the celebrations as they are connected with the country's honour and glory.

The Chief Minister said the government will spend Rs 25 crore to organise the celebrations across the State. Government advisor for culture, KV Ramana Chary has been named Chairman of the committee which will chalk out various programmes as part of the celebrations. KCR underlined the need to educate the young generation about the freedom movement, freedom fighters, their ideals and teachings.

He said various programmes at the school level like essay writing competitions, debates, elocution and drawing competitions will be organised. KCR spoke about how the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals gave an impetus to the freedom movement. He said Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence set an example for the freedom movements in different parts of the world.