Bengaluru, Aug 15: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Thursday heaped praise on the state government's five guarantee schemes and said they are designed to empower women, support the poor and assist unemployed youth.

Cautioning against the serious challenge of environmental imbalance, he stressed on the shared responsibility to protect and enhance the environment.

"Karnataka is a progressive state, playing a crucial role in the overall development of our country. Through various development initiatives, our state has been at the forefront of implementing innovative and inclusive programs, ensuring access to basic services with the aim of achieving comprehensive and sustainable development," Gehlot said in his Independence Day message.

"The state government is successfully implementing the five guarantee schemes, which are designed to empower women, support poor and middle-class families, and assist unemployed youth," he was quoted as saying by Raj Bhavan in a statement.

ALSO READ: Siddaramaiah says guarantee schemes will continue, highlights challenges in Centre-State relations

Amid pressure from within the ruling Congress to do a "rethink" on the ambitious five guarantees schemes, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday asserted that they will continue.

Gehlot today hoisted the national flag at the Raj Bhavan on the occasion of 78th Independence Day celebrations, his office said.

Noting that since independence, both Karnataka and the nation have witnessed remarkable progress, with India now standing as the fifth largest economy in the world, the Governor said, "As we look towards the 100th anniversary of our independence, it is the collective aspiration of our people that India becomes fully educated, economically robust, and a leading force among developed nations.

To achieve this, we must all commit ourselves to serving our country with devotion and dedication."

Currently, the nation and the world faced the serious challenge of environmental imbalance, he pointed out. "It is our shared responsibility to protect and enhance our environment."

"Through initiatives like the 'A Tree in the Name of Mother' campaign, we must take meaningful steps towards environmental conservation by planting saplings," he added.

The Governor also extended his wishes to all Indian athletes who won medals and excelled in the recently concluded Olympic Games in Paris.

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Kohima (PTI): Nearly 20 per cent of 22,382 electors exercised their franchise in Nagaland's Koridang Assembly bypoll in the first two hours of polling on Thursday, officials said.

The voting that commenced at 7 am across all 30 polling stations has so far been peaceful, they said.

The polling will continue till 4 pm.

Security has been significantly tightened across the constituency following violence on April 5 and 6, in which one person died, and several vehicles were damaged.

The byelection was necessitated by the demise of sitting BJP MLA Imkong L. Imchen in November last year.

A total of 22,382 electors, including 11,071 women, are eligible to decide the fate of six candidates in the fray.

The ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) has fielded BJP nominee Daochier I. Imchen, while the Congress candidate is T. Chalukumba Ao. The National People’s Party (NPP) has nominated I. Abenjang, while the Independent candidates are Imchatoba Imchen, Imtiwapang, and Toshikaba.

Of the 30 polling stations, 13 have been categorised as vulnerable and 17 as critical, prompting deployment of additional security personnel and intensified surveillance measures. Two polling stations have been designated as all-women booths.

Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.