Deputy Commissioner Kavita S. Mannikeri flagging off a bike rally as part of International Day of Democracy outside the Sri Vijaya Vittala Temple in Hampi on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
“Safeguarding the ideals of democracy and respecting the Constitution should be the foremost duty of every Indian citizen,” said Deputy Commissioner Kavita S. Mannikeri on Sunday.
She was speaking after flagging off a bike rally as part of International Day of Democracy outside the Sri Vijaya Vittala Temple at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi in Vijayanagara district.
The event was jointly organised by the district administration, the Zilla Panchayat, and the Department of Social Welfare.
Ms. Mannikeri said that the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 officially declared September 15 as the International Day of Democracy to spread awareness about democratic values worldwide.
“Democracy, built by the people and for the people, is not merely a Constitutional framework but a living spirit. In India, it reflects not just the aspirations of the Constitution but also the collective aspirations of our lives,” she said.
Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Nongjai Mohd. Ali Akram Shah, in his address, said that the day highlights the significance of democracy in governance, human rights, rule of law, liberty and equality.
“It also draws attention to challenges such as corruption, inequality and authoritarianism and reminds us of the threats faced by democracies across the world,” he said.
The programme began with floral tributes to B.R. Ambedkar in front of the Vijaya Vittala temple, followed by the reading of a democracy pledge.
Later, Ms. Mannikeri waved the green flag to launch the bike rally.
More than 15 bikers participated in the rally which began at Hampi and will culminate at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Monday.
The riders passed through Kamalapur, Virupaksheshwara Temple, Kaddirampur, Malapannagudi, Hosapete city and then continued via the National Highway through Chitradurga and Tumakuru before reaching Bengaluru.
Hosapete Assistant Commissioner P. Vivekananda, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Y.A. Kale and officials from various district-level departments were present.
Published – September 14, 2025 08:33 pm IST
