Hoisting of national flag, distribution of welfare aid, honouring freedom fighters and presentation of merit certificates to officials and police personnel marked the Republic Day celebrations in Dindigul and Theni districts on Monday.
Dindigul Collector T.N. Hariharan hoisted the national flag and took salute from the police at the District Sports Stadium at 8 a.m.
He inspected the parade of the armed reserve, police personnel and NCC cadets and honoured freedom fighters with shawls.
Railway police head constable A. Veerendra Babu was honoured with a medal for his meritorious service and Collector’s office driver Vanaraj with merit certificates for accident-free driving for the past two decades.
Besides, 46 police and fire services personnel and 102 government officials were honoured with merit certificates for their outstanding performance.
Welfare aid worth Rs.38.22 lakh was given to 352 beneficiaries, including farmers, self-help groups, unemployed youths, differently abled persons, poor and orphaned women.
Students from MSP HSS, Akashaya Academy, Government HSS in Kosavapatti and Ambilikkai, Annamalaiyar Girls MHSS and St Joseph’s Girls HSS presented a colourful cultural show. DIG N. Arivu Selvam and SP A. Saravanan participated.
District Principal-cum-Sessions Judge Pongiappan hoisted the national flag at the Dindigul Court Complex. Residents of the 12{+t}{+h}ward in Kodaikanal celebrated the day by planting saplings and conducted sports events for children.
Theni
Collector N. Venkatachalam hoisted the national flag and took police salute at the District Sports Complex at 8 a.m. He inspected the parade taken out by the armed police and NCC cadets and honoured freedom fighters with shawls.
The police, fire and rescue services personnel and government officials, who performed exceedingly well in the district, were honoured with certificates.
The Collector also distributed welfare aids worth Rs.36.51 lakh to 166 beneficiaries and honoured 120 officials with certificates recognising their outstanding work. He also honoured 34 police personnel with CM medals and 33 police personnel with merit certificate.
Superintendent of Police J. Mahesh took part. Students from eight schools presented an eye-catching cultural show.
Virudhunagar
Collector V. Rajaraman unfurled the national flag at the Armed Reserve Grounds. The Collector took salute of the guard of honour presented by the police. Freedom-fighters and their legal heirs were honoured. Mr. Rajaraman also presented the Chief Minister's police medal to 43 personnel and certificate of appreciation to four others.
The Collector also distributed welfare assistance worth Rs.5.67 lakh under various Government schemes to 34 persons.
Students of various school presented a colourful cultural show.
Among those who were present at the celebration are the District Superintendent of Police, S. Maheswaran, District Revenue Officer, C. Munusamy, Project Director (District Rural Development Agency), M. Prabhakar, Revenue Divisional Officer (Aruppukottai), Subanandhini.
Vice-Chancellor S. Saravanashankar reviewed the parade taken out by the National Cadet Corps (NCC) at Kalasalingam University.
He made a special mention of NCC cadet Desingu Raja, a student of the university who was participating in the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.
