The 73rd Independence Day was celebrated with fervour in Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts on Thursday.
In Vellore, Collector A. Shanmuga Sundram unfurled the tricolour and reviewed the guard of honour at Nethaji Stadium. He honoured two freedom fighters and their 50 family members in recognition of their contributions.
Earlier, the Collector hoisted the tricolour at the rampart of Vellore Fort and paid floral tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi statue at tne entrance of the campus.
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District Revenue Officer J. Partheeban, Superintendent of Police Pravesh Kumar, project director, DRDA, P. Periasamy and District Education Officer, S. Mars, were among the host of officials participated.
In Tiruvannamalai district, Collector K.S. Kandasamy hoisted the tricolour. He handed over merit certificates to 174 government officers, employees and representatives of NGOs.
Mr. Kandasamy also honoured freedom fighters and their kith and kin on the occasion. Kizhpennathur MLA, K. Pichandi, District Revenue Officer, P. Rathinasamy, Superintendent of Police, M.R. Sibi Chakravarthi, and DRDA director B. Jayasudha participated.
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Delivering his speech after hoisting the national flag at VIT, Vellore, Chairman, State Official Language (Legislative) Commission, Justice P. Kalaiyarasan said in British India, the people identified themselves with princely States where they lived. But they were united in their fight against the British empire. As Indians we have more responsibility to save and cherish the glory of India, he added.
VIT Chancellor, G. Viswanathan, participated. SBI-Walaja branch deputy manager, V. Rajadurai, hoisted the tricolour at the branch.
At the BHEL Township in Ranipet, Executive Director, C. Murthy hoisted the national flag. Eighty-five-year-old Kanniappan of Meesanallur, who was rescued from bonded labour, hoisted the national flag at the new housing project coming up at Tiruvannamalai.