Patriotic fervour pervaded the Independence Day celebrations in the city and across the district on Monday.
Collector K.S.Palanisamy unfurled the national flag at the official ceremony held at the Armed Reserve grounds in the city in the morning. Accompanied by T.Senthil Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Mr. Palanisamy inspected a guard of honour and accepted salute at a march past.
The Collector honoured freedom fighters and their family members by presenting shawls. He distributed commendation certificates to government officials, including police, and employees of various other departments for meritorious service. Welfare assistance estimated at Rs. 17.96 lakh were distributed to 135 beneficiaries through various government agencies.
Students of schools and colleges presented cultural programme and the Collector gave away prizes to best performers. District level toppers in public examinations among ex-service personnel were also presented with cash rewards. V.Varadaraju, Inspector-General of Police, Central Zone, M.N. Manjunatha, Commissioner of Police, and A.Arun, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Tiruchi Range, were present.
Earlier, the Collector laid a wreath and paid homage at the War Memorial in front of the Gandhi Market. Community feasts were organised at the Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Rockfort Thayumanaswamy Temple, Samayapuram Mariamman, Vayalur Murugan, and other temples across the district to mark the occasion.
At the corporation, Mayor A.Jaya hoisted the national flag in the presence of Corporation Commissioner N.S.Prema, councillors and officials. She distributed cash rewards to public examination toppers among Corporation schools and wards of Corporation employees who had excelled in public examinations. She also distributed cash prizes to 24 employees for meritorious service.
Airport Director K. Gunasekaran hoisted the national flag at the Airport in the presence of Airports Authority of India officials and Central Industrial Security Force personnel. Political parties and people from all walks of life celebrated the day with enthusiasm.
