Bengaluru, Aug 15: Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday unfurled the tricolour here to mark the 72nd Independence Day celebrations.

Kumaraswamy joined about 8,000 people at the Field Marshal Manekshaw parade ground in the city centre on the occasion.

Under a cloudy sky, an Army helicopter showered rose petals over the podium where the Chief Minister and many VIPs were present.

After receiving salute from the guard of honour contingent, Kumaraswamy went around the rectangular ground in an open jeep and greeted the battalions of armed forces, state reserved police, National Cadet Corps and Bharat Scouts and Guides.

The Chief Minister delivered his I-Day speech in Kannada.

According to reports from across the state, patriotic fervour and gaiety marked I-Day celebrations in various districts where cabinet ministers and Deputy Commissioners unfurled the national flag.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Bengaluru (PTI): BJP MP and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has declined to accept an honorary doctorate from Haveri University, saying it is not appropriate to confer such honours on politicians or those engaged in self-motivated social service.

He said the love and trust of the people are the greatest honours in public life.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Syndicate members of Haveri University for deciding to confer an honorary doctorate on me,” Bommai, MP from Haveri, said in a statement issued on Sunday night.

“However, I have informed the Vice-Chancellor that I will not accept the honour. As I am engaged in public service, I do not seek any awards. I believe the love and trust of the people are the greatest honours. Therefore, I humbly reiterate that I will not accept the honorary doctorate,” he said.

Bommai said honorary doctorates should be awarded to individuals who have rendered distinguished and significant service in a particular field over a long period.

“It is my personal view that it is not appropriate to confer honorary doctorates on politicians or those engaged in social service out of self-motivation. I request that this matter be reconsidered,” he added.

Recently, Karnataka Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar proposed the constitution of an expert panel to regulate the awarding of honorary doctorates.

In a letter to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who is also the Chancellor of public universities in the state, the minister highlighted the lack of standards in conferring such honours.