Folk performances by the indigenous tribes of The Nilgirs - Todas, Kotas, Paniyas and Kurumbas - marked the 69th Republic Day celebrations at the Government Arts College Ground in Udhagamandalam on Friday.
The Nilgiris District Collector, Innocent Divya, unfurled the tricolor and accompanied by the District Superintendent of Police, Murali Rambha, took the salute at the parade in which police personnel, Home Guards and members of the National Cadet Corps participated.
Ms. Divya distributed welfare assistance amounting to ₹3.13 crore to 79 beneficiaries on the occasion.
The Chief Minister’s medal was awarded to 10 police personnel, while 27 others were given certificates commending them for their service.
The 14 fire-fighters who managed to rescue four people from a building that collapsed outside the District Collector's office were also honoured.
School and college students from across the Nilgiris district performed at the Republic Day function and were given certificates and mementos by the District Collector. Also present at the function were the Project Director of the Special Area Development Project, Amar Kushwaha, and District Revenue Officer T. Baskarapandi.
