TN Chief Minister Honours Achievers on Republic Day
CHENNAI: The 67th Republic Day was observed on Tuesday with fervour here, with Governor K Rosaiah unfurling the tricolour at Marina and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa presenting State awards to achievers on the occasion.
Thousands of people witnessed the Republic Day parade on the seafront. The celebrations were marked by a show of strength by the 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 State government departments.
At 8 am, the Governor and the Chief Minister drove past the invitees’ enclosures and exchanged Republic Day greetings with the public. When the Governor unfurled the tricolour at the saluting base, a low-lying IAF helicopter showered rose petals. The Governor also took the salute of 46 contingents including the Army, Navy and Air Force, Central Reserve Police, CISF, RPF, Chennai City Police, Mounted Police, Tamil Nadu Commando Force, Coastal Security Group and Tamil Nadu Fire Service.
The Chief Minister presented Anna Medal for Gallantry, Kottai Ameer award for communal harmony and the special award to a woman farmer who had notched the highest yield in the State during 2014-15. Cultural programmes included Kalbelia dance of Rajasthan, Chhapeli dance of Uttarakhand, Kailsilambattam of Tamil Nadu. During the carnival of students from schools and colleges, they danced to a song composed by poet
Subramania Bharathi.
As many as 14 floats highlighted the various welfare schemes of the AIADMK government. The State Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal, Deputy Speaker V Jayaraman, State Ministers, Judges of Madras High Court, diplomats from various countries, MPs and MLAs took part in the Republic Day celebrations.