Lucknow, Aug. 15 -- : Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana on Friday extended Independence Day greetings to the people of the state and called upon them to strengthen democratic values, national unity and social harmony.

In his Independence Day message, Mahana said the occasion was not merely a national festival but also an opportunity to pay tribute to the courage, sacrifice, dedication and martyrdom of the country's freedom fighters.

"Independence Day is not merely a national festival but an occasion to salute the unparalleled courage, sacrifice, dedication and martyrdom of those immortal freedom fighters whose struggles have enabled us to live with dignity and self-respect in an independent India," he said.

Mahan...