Republic Day Celebrated with grandeur In Tiruvannamalai

The 77th Republic Day celebrations were held with grandeur on Sunday at the Armed Forces Ground located within the Tiruvannamalai District Collectorate complex. District Collector K. Tharpagaraj hoisted the national flag and paid homage to the nation.
Following the flag hoisting, the District Collector, accompanied by District Superintendent of Police Dr. M. Sudhakar, inspected the police parade in an open vehicle and accepted the salute.
White doves and balloons were released to symbolise peace. The Collector also honoured the families of martyrs by presenting shawls in recognition of their sacrifice.
Cultural programmes depicting patriotism were performed by school students, which drew appreciation from the dignitaries present. As part of the celebrations, government welfare assistance worth Rs. 1.24 crore was distributed to 2,143 beneficiaries under various
schemes. The assistance included free house pattas, patta conversion, natural death and funeral relief, marriage grants, new family cards, motorised sewing machines for persons with disabilities, agricultural implements such as micro-irrigation systems and power tillers, gas stoves, tribal welfare board cards, dairy farming and entrepreneurship assistance, labour welfare pensions, educational assistance, and marriage financial aid for widows and destitute women.
The District Collector also presented certificates of appreciation and shields to 488 government officials and employees for exemplary service.
Certificates were awarded to school students who participated in cultural events.
The function was attended by District Revenue Officer R. Rampradeepan, District Forest Officer Sudhakar, Project Director of the District Rural Development Agency Mani, Cheyyar Sub-Collector L. Ambika Jain, Project Director (Women’s Project) Dhanapathy, Assistant Collector (Training) Amrutha S. Kumar, Tiruvannamalai and Arani Revenue Divisional Officers, and senior officials from various departments.