New Delhi, 15 August (H.S.): On the occasion of Independence Day, Lokpal Chairperson Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar hoisted the Tricolour at the Lokpal premises on Saturday and extended greetings to the people of the country. He reiterated the Lokpal’s commitment to ensuring clean and corruption-free governance, while emphasising the need to strengthen the Constitution, the rule of law, transparency and accountability.

According to the Lokpal office, the event was attended by Lokpal members Justice Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Justice Sanjay Yadav, Sushil Chandra, Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Tirkey, along with senior officials, employees and their family members.

Addressing the gathering, Justice Khanwilkar recalled Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of a nation where the mind is without fear and the head is held high. He urged citizens to imbibe this ideal in their thoughts and actions.

He said India’s independence was achieved through the sacrifices and relentless struggles of countless patriots. Hoisting the national flag, he said, is not merely a ceremonial exercise but an occasion to remember the country’s glorious past and the responsibilities that accompany freedom.

The Lokpal Chairperson said true freedom does not mean merely political independence, but also ensuring that every citizen is free from hunger, injustice, oppression and inequality and has the opportunity to live with dignity.

He said the Lokpal is committed to ensuring clean and corruption-free governance in India. He described the steadily increasing number of complaints received by the institution as an indication of greater citizen participation and growing public confidence in the Lokpal.

Justice Khanwilkar said the Lokpal would further strengthen its commitment to the Constitution, the rule of law, accountability, efficiency, transparency and accessibility. He stressed the effective use of technology to make the institution more efficient, transparent and accessible to citizens.

Justice Khanwilkar directed officials to examine every complaint received by the Lokpal with seriousness, impartiality and objectivity. He emphasised that there is a citizen behind every file who approaches the institution with the expectation of receiving justice, and that institutional decisions can have a significant impact on an individual’s life.

He said the Lokpal’s fundamental objective is to serve the Constitution, uphold the rule of law and ensure that public authority is exercised responsibly.

At the conclusion of the programme, the Lokpal Chairperson expressed his gratitude to the members, officials, employees and their families for their dedication and professional contributions. He thanked everyone for participating in the Independence Day celebrations and concluded his address with the slogan, “Jai Hind.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar