Police personnel taking part in the parade during the 80th Independence Day celebrations in Hosapete, Vijayanagara district, on Saturday.

| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Vijayanagara celebrated the 80th Independence Day on Saturday with a tribute to the freedom fighters and a call to uphold the unity and integrity of the country and the ideals enshrined in the Constitution.Hoisting the national flag at the District Stadium in Hosapete, Muzrai, Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport Minister and Vijayanagara district in-charge Minister K.S. Basavanthappa said every citizen had a responsibility to protect the country’s unity, integrity and constitutional values.Recalling the sacrifices of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, B.R. Ambedkar, and Sarojini Naidu, among others, Mr. Basavannappa also remembered the contribution of women freedom fighters, including Kittur Rani Chennamma.“The Constitution, framed under the leadership of Dr. Ambedkar after Independence, had laid the foundation for an inclusive India and enabled every citizen to live with dignity and self-respect… India has made significant progress in science and technology, education, healthcare, agriculture, industry and the economy since Independence. However, challenges such as poverty, unemployment, gender and economic inequality, environmental pollution, climate change, water scarcity and deforestation remained, and they required collective efforts by the government and society,” he said.Speaking on the district’s development, the Minister said that the Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation had earmarked ₹4,107 crore for development works in the district, of which 132 proposals involving ₹2,171 crore had been approved.“A 250-bed hospital, constructed with ₹104 crore from the District Mineral Foundation fund, was ready for inauguration. The construction of a critical care centre at a cost of ₹21.40 crore was in the final stage,” he said. Published - August 15, 2026 09:27 pm IST