West Bengal today joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the Independence Day with variety of programmes. The main programme was held at Barrack Pur, Gandhi Ghat where the Governor Mr. M. K. Naraynan offered floral tribute at the Martyrs column. The Chief Minister Mr. Budhdhadeb Bhattacharyjee hoisted the national tri colour in front of the State Secretariat in the morning to mark the day. Other programmes of the day include all faith prayer meeting, exhibition, seminar and reception of freedom fighter. The state is also observing the birth day of Rishi Aurobindo today.In Andaman and Nicobar islands, the Independence Day is being celebrated across the islands with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour. In the tribal islands including the southernmost tip, Campbell bay and Car Nicobar colourful cultural programmes, tribal folk dances, boat races, rural sports and children's rallies mark the celebration. Despite widespread rains a large number of tribal people including captains and chief captains of various tribal councils enthusiastically participated in the programmes. Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has appealed to militant organisations to lay down arms and join the mainstream by participating in the development programmes. Speaking on the occasion of the 64th Independence Day at the first Manipur Rifles parade ground amid tight security in view of the boycott called by insurgent organisations, Singh said violence will not provide any solution and asked militants to come to the negotiation table for discussing their problems. In Puducherry Chief Minister Mr. V. Vaithilingam called upon people to work unitedly to fulfill the ultimate dream of our forefathers of achieving social and economic freedom for every citizen and build an egalitarian society. Unfurling the National flag at a colourful function held at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in Puducherry on the occasion of the 64th Independence Day, the chief Minister asked the people to co-operate the Government in maintaing peace and harmony which are very essential for the development and welfare of the society. Independence Day celebrations in Karnataka commenced with unfurling of the National Flag by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. In his address, the Chief Minister mentioned about strides taken by his government and efforts taken to take the state forward on the path of progress. In Bihar Chief Minister Nitish kumar has declared 10 remaining districts of the state drought hit. After unfurling the tricolor at Gandhi Maidan in Patna Mr. Kumar said earlier 28 districts of the were declared drought hit now all 38 district of the state are included in the famine hit list. He exhorted people to come forward to tackle drought in the state . Nitish Kumar said the state government will extend all support to drought affected people and no body will be allow to starve due to drought. AIR Patna Correspondent reports that the Chief Minister announced welfare measures for drought affected people. In Madhya Pradesh, the Independence Day is being celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety across the state. Our Bhopal correspondent reports that security has been heightened throughout the state with policemen deployed for security checks at public places. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah today urged youth of the state to halt their violent protests and stone pelting during the holy month of Ramzan. Addressing the state level independence day function at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, the Chief Minister appealed to the separatist Leaders to come to the negotiating table for political solution of the problem. Earlier, an Assistant Sub Inspector of Police who was sitting in the VIP stand hurled a shoe towards the Chief Minister. The ASI who also raised slogan and waived black flag was arrested on spot. The Chief Minister, was however unmoved and he inspected the parade and addressed the audience.