Collectors honour freedom fighters and distribute financial assistance to beneficiaries

Happy occasion: (From left) Namakkal Collector U. Sagayam (back row, wearing coat) with schoolchildren who received prizes for winning various competitions, in Namakkal; and Salem Collector J. Chandrakumar (right) handing over a work order under Kalaignar Housing Scheme during the Independence Day celebrations on Sunday. –

Photos: Special Arrangement and P. Goutham

Heavy downpour did not dampen the sprit of Independence Day in Salem district as various institutions and fora hoisted the National tri-colour amid patriotic fervour and celebrated with cultural events on Sunday.

Since early morning Salem city and its suburbs witnessed heavy rains, which inundated the low-lying areas and threw normal life out of gear.

The preparations for the Freedom Day celebrations at many places went awry with rains lashing till 11 a.m.

The Mahatma Gandhi stadium where the Salem District administration had made elaborate arrangements for hoisting the flag turned into a sheet of knee-deep water.

However Collector J. Chandrakumar hoisted the flag and took the guard of honour offered from the gallery steps.

Salem Police Commissioner Sunil Kumar Singh, SP Y. John Nicholson and District Revenue Officer V. Kalai Arasi and other senior officials were present. He also honoured the freedom fighters and language tyagis.

A total of 32 beneficiaries received assistance worth Rs. 2.34 lakh and 10 beneficiaries received work orders for their huts to be converted into pucca buildings under the Kalaignar Housing Scheme.

Students of various schools and colleges staged cultural programmes inside the indoor stadium.

Corporation Commissioner Dr. K. S. Palanisamy, PO DRDA, K. Varadarajan, Chief Educational Officer Raaja Raajan, Joint Director of Health Dr. Gnanasekaran, Deputy Director of Health Dr. J. Nirmalson, RDO M. G. Kulandaivelu took part.

Mayor J. Rekha Priyadarshini hoisted the flag on the Corporation premises in which Deputy Mayor C. Panneerselvam and councillors took part. At BSNL office, General Manager Shahjehan hoisted the flag.

Government Medical College Hospital Medical Superintendant Dr. N. Mohan and Salem Periyar University Vice-Chancellor in charge, V. Krishnakumar unfurled the tri-colour.

President, Rotary Club of Salem A. R. Baskar hoisted the flag at Rotary Hall in which Rotarians including Selvamaligai S. Manickam took part.

Congress Urban celebrated the day with its president Panneerselvam and Tamil Nadu Consumer and People’s Rights Vigilance Committee Chairman S. Selvam hoisting the flags in their offices.

Various educational institutions, government offices and private companies also celebrated Independence Day.

In Namakkal

Gaiety and fervour marked the Independence Day celebrations in Namakkal district on Sunday.

Collector U. Sagayam hoisted the National tri-colour and distributed welfare assistance to 1,219 beneficiaries at a cost of Rs. 1.62 crore.

Narikkuravas and transgenders were also given house site pattas at the function that had been organised to mark the celebrations in the district.

The Collector honoured freedom and language fighters with shawls, in appreciation of their services.

Seven farmers who showed robust produce also were given certificates of merit as tokens of appreciation for their achievement.

Government employees, including accident-free drivers, were honoured.

He also distributed working orders to the tune of Rs. 60,000 each to 10 beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Housing Scheme.

Doctors of private hospitals also were recognized for their good services under the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme.

Senior officials including SP A. Pari, Additional SP Sureshkumar, District Revenue Officer K. Shanthi, District Forest Officer Asisvatsava, Chief Educational Officer Mallika and others took part.

A number of cultural programmes were also staged at the venue and students from various educational institutions took part in them.

Elsewhere in the district also Independence Day celebrations were held. Many educational institutions despite Sunday being holiday, celebrated the day with fervour.

Source: The Hindu