Dharwad/Hubballi/Kalaburagi/Haveri/Davanagere/Chitradurga: Patriotic fervour and colourful celebrations marked the 80th Independence Day across north Karnataka on Saturday. Flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes, parades by NCC cadets, Scouts and Guides, police, excise personnel and home guards, patriotic performances by students, and the felicitation of achievers were among the highlights.In Dharwad, labour minister Santosh Lad unfurled the national flag and received the guard of honour at the district-level function held at R N Shetty Stadium. In his Independence Day address, he highlighted several government initiatives under chief minister DK Shivakumar’s leadership, including a private employment exchange, hospital adoption scheme, anti-drug programmes, digital land records, mobility grids and incentives for teak cultivation. MLC FH Jakkappanavar, deputy commissioner Snehal R, police commissioner Shashi Kumar, SP Gunjan Arya and ZP CEO Bhuvanesh Patil were among those present. The stadium was decked up with tricolour-themed decorations while students presented cultural performances.In Hubballi, Urban tahsildar Mahesh Gaste hoisted the national flag at Nehru Stadium. Addressing the gathering, he called upon citizens to contribute to nation-building through education, environmental protection, social harmony and the eradication of corruption. MLA Mahesh Tenginkai paid tribute to freedom fighters, while 21 contingents participated in the parade. Students enthralled the audience with cultural programmes. Former legislative council chairperson Basavaraj Horatti, MLC Pradeep Shettar and Hubballi Rural tahsildar J B Majjagi attended the event.In Kalaburagi, minister Priyank Kharge announced the establishment of a Skill Park aimed at equipping youth with employment-oriented skills. Speaking after hoisting the national flag at the Police Parade Ground and receiving the guard of honour, he said the initiative was part of efforts to build a stronger Youth Karnataka and a new India.Patriotic celebrations were also held across Haveri, Davanagere and Chitradurga districts, where district ministers Rudrappa Lamani, SS Mallikarjun and T Raghumurthy unfurled the national flag and addressed public gatherings.SWR celebrates: South Western Railway general manager P Ananth, in his Independence Day address, highlighted major achievements of the zone between Jan and July 2026. He said SWR had made significant progress in safety, infrastructure development, train operations, passenger services, revenue generation, staff welfare and sustainability. He noted the commissioning of Standard Kavach on the Tumakuru-Arsikere and Whitefield-Jolarpettai sections, besides 157 km of complete track renewal and 132 km of safety fencing to strengthen rail safety.
