Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who on Monday led the State in celebrating the nation’s 70th Independence Day with gaiety, patriotic fervor and enthusiasm, asked the people to remain alert to ensure that the youth did not reach the camps of extremism and communalism.
Giving his Independence Day message to the people after unfurling the Tricolour and taking the salute of the various forces, NCC, Scouts and Guides, etc at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Pinarayi said that there should be a movement upholding the values of social renaissance against the spread of caste discrimination and superstitions.
Earlier, extending greetings the people of the State, the Chief Minister said the Independence Day should be seen as an occasion for rededicating for realizing the Constitutional values of freedom, democracy, secularism and socialism. He said that this was a time when imperialist forces and communal elements were trying to destroy the unity of the people.
Independence Day celebrations were held at different district headquarters under the leadership of different Ministers. Industries Minister EP Jayarajan led the celebrations in Ernakulam district at a glittering function organized in Kochi while Excise Minister TP Ramakrishnan unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute of the forces in Kozhikode.
Revenue Minister E Chandrasekharan, Health Minister KK Shailaja, Transports Minister AK Saseendran, local Administration Minister KT Jaleel and Cultural Affairs Minister AK Balan led the Independence Day celebrations in Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram and Palakkad respectively.
The celebrations in Thrissur were led by Tourism and Cooperation Minister AC Moideen while Water Resources Minister Mathew T Thomas, Forest Minister K Raju, Public Works Minister G Sudhakaran and Fisheries Minister J Mercikutty Amma unfurled the national flag respectively in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Kollam.
Independence Day was also celebrated at all main centres in the State, Government offices, educational institutions, offices of political parties, etc. Apart from Independence Day processions by students and children, parades were held across the State by the Kerala Police, Fire Rescue Force and NCC and Scouts and Guides.