UKHRUL, August 15: The 80th Independence Day was celebrated at Bakshi Ground, Hungpung, Ukhrul, with Deputy Commissioner Uppuluri Chaitanya, IAS, hoisting the National Flag amid the Rashtriya Salute and inspecting the participating contingents.
Superintendent of Police, Ukhrul, Abhinav, IPS, gave the General Salute, while SDPO Ukhrul Wungkhaning WS served as the Parade Commander.
Five contingents participated in the ceremonial parade, comprising the Manipur Police, 2nd Manipur Rifles Battalion, Ex-Servicemen, Village Defence Force (VDF), Ukhrul, and the Assam Rifles marching band.
The celebration was attended by government officials and security personnel.
Development initiatives highlighted
In his Independence Day address, Deputy Commissioner Uppuluri Chaitanya highlighted various development and welfare initiatives undertaken in Ukhrul district in recent months.
The Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM) has formed 844 self-help groups involving 9,287 members across the district, with efforts underway to extend financial inclusion and social security benefits to the remaining groups.
The administration also highlighted livelihood and women’s economic leadership training under the Lakhpati Didi Initiative, along with services provided through the One Stop Centre (OSC) for women affected by violence or distress. The centre has reportedly handled 148 cases since its inception, with two cases pending.
Despite disruptions caused by law-and-order issues and road blockades, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution maintained the distribution of free food grains to eligible beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
The Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation has assisted around 400 farmers through the distribution of vegetable seeds and fruit saplings, construction of polyhouses and water-harvesting ponds, distribution of bee boxes and organic manure. Micro-irrigation systems have also been installed at various farms under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
The District Industries Centre continues to promote micro, small and medium enterprises and self-employment through schemes including PMEGP, PM Vishwakarma and business incubation programmes.
The address also highlighted forest conservation initiatives and the district’s achievement during Van Mahotsav Week, along with emergency response measures undertaken by PWD and PHED amid recent incessant rains.
Under the Jan Kalyan Shivir campaign, the administration said grievances of around 800 out of approximately 900 applicants were redressed on the same day.
The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan was also highlighted, with 52 villages in Ukhrul prioritised for saturation of 17 government schemes. More than 10,000 households in the district were stated to have benefited following awareness, registration and grievance-redressal campaigns.
The address further referred to the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission, aimed at strengthening rural livelihood and employment opportunities, as well as the Vibrant Villages Programme–Phase II, which seeks to strengthen infrastructure, livelihoods and community engagement in border villages.
Concluding his address, the Deputy Commissioner called upon the people, particularly the youth and younger generations, to shoulder greater responsibility for the development of Ukhrul and contribute towards building a stronger and more inclusive Manipur and India.
Prizes and certificates of appreciation were distributed by the dignitaries in recognition of achievements and contributions in various fields.
As part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, ADC/ADM of Ukhrul Polly Makan led the pledge for a drug-free Ukhrul, calling for collective commitment towards building a healthier and better tomorrow.
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