Unfurling the tri-colour, taking the salute and reviewing the guard of honour, cultural programmes and distribution of assistance marked the Republic Day celebrations in Coimbatore city on Sunday.
Collector Archana Patnaik hoisted the national flag at the VOC Park Ground, took the salute and reviewed a guard of honour by the Police, Fire and Rescue Services, Home Guards and National Cadet Corps. Ms. Patnaik honoured 12 freedom fighters and also presented the Chief Minister's Medal to 40 personnel of the City and Rural District Police.
The canine sleuths of the police dog squad displayed their skills in sniffing out contraband. It was followed by cultural and martial arts programmes by a total of 890 school and college students, besides various troupes. Aid worth Rs. 1.02 crore was distributed to 201 beneficiaries.
The Collector also took part in a gram sabha meeting at Sircar Samakulam Panchayat Union. Its president Subramaniam presided.
In her address to the villagers, she emphasised the importance of toilets and urged them to refrain from open defecation.
Mayor S.M. Velusamy hoisted the national flag on the Corporation premises. He gave away awards to conservancy workers and Corporation school students who won prizes in competitions held to mark Republic Day.
D. Paul Manickam, Airport Director of Coimbatore International Airport, hoisted the tricolour. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, staff of the airport and staff from private airlines took part in various sports events and cultural programmes.
In Tirupur, Collector G. Govindaraj unfurled the national tricolour and reviewed the ceremonial parade, in the company of Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Singh.
Mr. Govindaraj distributed welfare assistance worth Rs 1.10 crore, to 552 beneficiaries. The performance of Silambam, a traditional martial art from Tamil Nadu, by the police personnel attached to Armed Reserve unit in Tirupur and yoga performance by students were the highlights of the cultural events.
Mayor Visalakshi Appukutty unfurled the national flag at the Corporation office.
Captain Sandeep Chakravarthi, the principal of Sainik School, Amaravathinagar, reviewed the parade held at Sainik School.
In Udhagamandalam, Nilgiris Collector P.Sankar unfurled the tricolour at the Breeks Open Air Stadium. Accompanied by the Superintendent of Police T.Senthil Kumar, the Collector inspected a parade.
Mr.Sankar distributed welfare assistance to the tune of Rs. 64.52 lakh to 129 beneficiaries.
He honoured three freedom fighters P.M.Gundan, J.Halli Gowder and S.Ari Gowder and decorated eighteen head constables with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s medals. Mr.Sankar participated in a Gram Sabha meeting at Kadanad near here.
At a function organized by the Tea Board in Coonoor, the Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Tea Plantation Corporation (TANTEA) S.Balaji distributed subsidies.
The Executive Director, Tea Board R.Ambalavanan hoisted the national flag.
At the Lawrence School in Lovedale near here an inspiring lecture by Lt.Commander Abhilash Tomy, the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe, made the celebrations memorable.
