The 80th Independence Day was marked with patriotic fervour at the Mahatma Gandhi Temple situated in Shanti Nagar, Srikakulam district, on Saturday (August 15, 2026). People from all walks of life, along with children from various schools and colleges, offered tributes to the freedom fighters whose statues were installed in 2022 at the temple. Gandhi Mandiram-Freedom Fighters Smruthi Vanam chairman Surangi Mohana Rao, convener Jami Bhimashankar, coordinator M.V.S.S. Sastry, and others organised the event. Mr. Sastry stated that the association had taken another initiative to install a ‘Jai-Jawan-Jai Kisan’ statue on the premises to raise awareness about the contributions of soldiers and farmers to society as well as the nation. He mentioned that the statue would be unveiled very soon, as work was progressing briskly on the premises.