It was a day to pay tributes to India’s missile man, former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
His birth anniversary on October 15 was observed through rallies, mini marathon, tree plantation and various competitions.
With the Tamil Nadu government announcing that his birth anniversary will be observed as “Youth Awakening Day”, school and college students were involved in several events.
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The Government Vellore Medical College Hospital (GVMCH) along with Lions Club organised a mini marathon.
Three hundred persons, including students and faculty members, participated in the mini marathon of 8 kms from the college at Adukkamparai to Bagayam.
Prizes were given to the first three winners, while 10 others received certificates.
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Rotary Club took up works to clean the campus of GVMCH. Two earthmovers were engaged in the works.
“About 200 saplings are being planted on the campus. Already, we have taken up mass cleaning works for the last 10 days and removed 10 loads of bushes from the campus. The remaining plastic waste is being removed now,” GVMCH Dean G. Selvarajan said.
Dr. Selvarajan pointed out that they were planning to maintain a good green cover on the campus.
The campus is spread across 35 acres.
Collector R. Nanthagopal flagged off a rally taken out by school and college students.
About 3,000 students participated in the rally that commenced near the Gandhi Statue, Old Bus Stand and ended near the Collectorate. Students carried placards with messages of Dr. Kalam
Several schools and colleges celebrated the day by conducting essay, elocution and quiz competitions.
Tea for Rs. 2
In a way to pay tribute to the former President, V. Maheshwaran, who runs Mahesh Coffee Bar, sold tea, coffee and milk for Rs. 2 on Thursday.
“Many persons may not know that October 15 is A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s birth anniversary. This was my way to tell people about the day. I had put up a small notice in this regard. Usually, tea and coffee costs Rs. 10 in my shop. I sold it for Rs. 2 a cup for one day,” he said.
At Tiruvannamalai
Information Technology Minister Mukkur N. Subramanian flagged off a rally of students from the Taluk office in the presence of the District Collector A. Gnanasekaran to commemorate the occasion.
The rally proceeded through Anna Statue, Gandhi Statue, Sannathi Street and culminated at the starting point.
Competitions
Earlier competitions in oratory and essay writing were held for students.
Tiruvannamalai M.P. R. Vanaroja, Kilpennathur MLA A.K. Aranganathan, District Panchayat president M.S. Nainakkannu and Revenue Divisional Officer Umamaheswari participated.