<span style="color: black;">Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has vowed to build a 'Kalyana Rajya', a Welfare state with the avowed principle of 'development' as the only mantra. Delivering his Independence Day speech in Bengaluru today, the Chief Minister said that giant strides are being made towards realizing Mahatma Gandhi's dream of building a Ram Rajya. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: black;">Saying that COVID-19, has posed huge challenges, he noted that the lockdown is not the only solution to reduce the spread of Coronavirus.  He underscored the need to facilitate the bouncing back of economic activities by following the central government guidelines. He appealed to people to make it mandatory to wear face masks, washing hands with soap and maintain social distancing. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR Correspondent reports, in his Independence Day speech, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa informed that the government has come to the rescue of farmers in distress by buying Rs 3,175 crore worth of farm products such as green gram, tur dal, groundnut, chickpea and copra under the minimum support price programme from 5.82 lakh farmers. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Under Ayushman Bharat scheme health cards are distributed to 1.31 crore people in the State and offered health coverage to 8.5 lakh beneficiaries. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 7.06 crore man days created and 1,856 crore wages paid since April this year. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, in Bengaluru the pandemic has not dampened the celebrations. Flags fluttered over vehicles and buildings, people gathered in street corners to unfurl the national flag and distribute sweets. Patriotic songs were played in residential areas.</span><br />