Tight security, extra vigil for I-Day celebrations in Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Aug 14: Security has been stepped and vigil heightened in Bengaluru in view of celebration of the country's 72nd Independence Day, police said on Tuesday.
"About 1,800 policemen have been deployed at the Manekshaw parade ground here for security of the public and VIPs participating in the I-Day celebrations on Wednesday," city Police Commissioner T. Sunil Kumar told reporters here.
Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy will unfurl the Tricolour here, receive salute from the armed forces and address the people in the presence of dignitaries, invitees and officials.
"The surrounding area has been sanitised and movement of people and vehicles will be monitored. Vehicular traffic will be restricted around the ground and parking has been banned till afternoon," said Kumar.
Nine Deputy Commissioners of Police and 16 ACPs will oversee the security measures and keep vigil in and around the ground.
"In addition to the policemen, nine platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police, five of the City Armed Reserve force and two Quick Reaction Teams have been stationed at vital installations and sensitive areas in the state capital to prevent untoward incidents and maintain law and order," reiterated Kumar.
The police has also installed 50 surveillance cameras, four baggage scanners at the entry gates and pressed dog and bomb-detection squads.
Visitors to the event have been advised not to carry water bottles, eatables, video and still cameras, radios and helmets.
Special Force commandos have also been deployed to secure the state Secretariat (Vidhana Soudha) in the city centre.
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Bommai turns down honorary doctorate, calls for rethink on awards to politicians
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.
