CHENNAI: In a departure from the norm, perhaps for the first time in the history of the State, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam unfurled the Tricolour at the Republic Day parade at the Marina beach since Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao had to be present at Mumbai. Rao, Governor of Maharashtra, was given additional charge of Tamil Nadu last year.
In his address to All India Radio and Doordarshan, the Governor said he could not be there at Marina as he had to hoist the National Flag at Mumbai.
The second key aspect of the Republic Day celebrations this year was that the entire event was held amidst unprecedented security cover all along the seafront on Marina beach, which was, until two days ago, the epicentre of jallikattu protests which lasted for over a week.
Significantly, the number of public present along the beach road to witness the Republic Day celebrations was also much lesser than the previous years. Panneerselvam arrived at the venue around 7.55 am and drove past the enclosures greeting the public. Later, he took the salute from Armed Forces and various wings of State police.
The Chief Minister presented a special award for highest agricultural yield to M Sankaranarayan of Puliyankudi in Tirunelveli district while Dr AM Ikram of Vellore district received the Kottai Ameer communal harmony award. The CM also presented the Anna medal for gallantry and Gandhi Adigal police medal to police personnel, on the occasion.
Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal, State Ministers, Leader of Opposition, MK Stalin and many DMK MLAs, representatives of consulates of various countries in Chennai and Madras High Court judges took part. For the first time in his public life, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam attended a government function with his wife P Vijayalakshmi sitting by his side, at the Republic Day celebrations.
The celebrations were marked by a show of strength by three Armed Forces, various wings of State police and their ceremonial march past, carnival of students from various schools and colleges, traditional cultural programmes and pageantry of floats by various departments. Since the Governor is not in station, the ‘At Home’ reception hosted by him at Raj Bhavan did not take place this year.