Kozhikode and Kollam

AUG.15. The general secretary of the National Development Front (NDF), Nazaruddin Elamaram, said at Kollam today that true democrats should not allow the freedom of the Nation to be exploited by a fascist section for the purpose of serving their vested interests. He was delivering the Independence Day message at a public meeting organised in connection with the `Freedom march taken out by the NDF volunteers. The meeting began with a musical rendering of the patriotic song `Sare jehan se acha'.

Mr. Nazaruddin said August 15 assumed special significance this year as it was the first Independence Day after the ouster of the four-and-a half year rule by communal and fascist forces. "The NDF had organised the march to celebrate the rebirth of the nation's freedom," he said. He called upon NDF volunteers to work as guardians of the country's freedom.

Denial of rights "Under the shadow of globalisation, an attempt is being made to deny even health services and education to the common man," he said adding that citizens were being denied their constitutional rights. He said the silver lining was that the present UPA Government at the Centre had shown signs of effecting some welcome measures. The moves taken by the Union Ministry for Human Resource Development has received the overwhelming support of the secular forces in the country, he said. The supreme council member of the NDF, E.M. Abdul Rehman, delivered the keynote address. The `Freedom march' set off from the Asramam Maidan at 3 p.m. amidst tight police vigil. It passed through Chinnakada and Taluk Cuthchery junctions. Later, a public meeting was held at the Karbala maidan.