MANIPAL: Diversity melted into three colours as Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) unfurled the tricolour as heavy rain lashed Manipal. Taking place outside the manipal.edu Building at 8:50 AM, the affair started with a salute by the contingents and a welcome address by Dr Arathi P Rao. After the hoisting of the national flag, parade, and march past, the Independence Day message was given by Dr Poornima Baliga B, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Health Sciences. This was followed by the distribution of awards among the contingents.
On being asked about how difficult it was to make arrangements for the event amidst heavy rain, Dr Geeta M, Director, Student Affairs, said, “Even if it is raining, nothing comes in the way of patriotism.” Dr Ashwini Kumar, Deputy Director, Student Affairs, added to this by saying, “I feel proud to be associated with the students who, in spite of the heavy rain, came to celebrate Independence Day. The students gave life to the event.”