Colourful performances by school and college students, distribution of welfare assistance to the poor and awards to government employees and honouring of freedom fighters marked the 69th Republic Day celebrations in Madurai district on Friday.
Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao unfurled the national flag at the Armed Reserve Police Grounds here.
Accompanied by District Superintendent of Police N. Manivannan, he inspected the guard of honour and took salute of the parade by contingents of police, Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services personnel, Home Guards and National Cadet Corps.
He awarded medals to 82 from Madurai City police and 43 from Madurai rural police, who were chosen for this year’s Chief Minister’s Constabulary Medals. Later, he honoured the freedom fighters with shawls. Welfare assistance to the tune of ₹ 45,53,910 from various departments of the State government were given to 300 beneficiaries.
The Collector recognised 187 employees of various departments and people involved in social work and handed over certificates.
As many as 879 students from various schools and colleges including Sourashtra Girls Higher Secondary School, Government High School in Viraganoor, Vivekananda Higher Secondary School, P.K.N. Girls Higher Secondary School, Pandian Nedunchezhian Corporation Higher Secondary School, Velliveethiyar Corporation Girls Higher Secondary School, Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Peraiyur, Thiagarajar College, E.M.G. Yadava Women’s College, and Siddhu Matriculation Higher Secondary School, presented cultural performance.
Madurai City Commissioner of Police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, Deputy Inspector General (Madurai Range) Pradip Kumar and senior officials were present.
Meeting
Gram sabha meetings were organised in all 420 panchayats in the district. The Collector stressed the importance of avoiding open defecation and keeping the village clean at a meeting held at Viraganoor.
University
Madurai Kamaraj University Vice-Chancellor P.P. Chellathurai unfurled the flag and distributed prizes to winners of various competitions. Registrar V. Chinniah and Syndicate members were present.
