March-past, pageantry mark R-Day fete

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JAN. 26.An impressive march-past by the Army, Air Force, Navy and Police forces, a cultural pageantry providing glimpses of classical and folk art-forms and the giving away of the `Anna Medals for Gallantry' marked the 52nd Republic Day Celebrations here today.

The moving 90-minute spectacle on `Kamaraj Salai' alongside the Marina beach this morning unfolded some of the finest pieces of the armed forces weaponry, a blend of cultural performers emphasising national integration and communal harmony, besides a flotilla on the achievements of the Tamil Nadu Government.

The occasion had an additional emotive tinge, with the new 30 feet Ashoka Pillar to mark the golden jubilee of the Republic Day celebrations, close to Mahatma Gandhi's statue on the Marina and unveiled by the Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi last evening, heightening its symbolic significance. The celebrations began with the Governor, Ms. M. Fathima Bheevi unfurling the national flag at precisely 8 a.m., after she was received at the saluting base by the Chief Minister and introduced to Maj. Gen V. Jayashankar, GOC, ATNKK & G Area, Commodore P.R. Franklin, Naval Officer in-Charge, Chennai, Air Commodore, K.S. Sahota, Air Officer Commanding, Tambaram, Chennai and top police officials of Tamil Nadu.

Sqn. Ldr. Shivkumar Srinivasan, a hero of innumerable sorties during the Kargil war, led the armed forces parade and there were as many as 40 contingents, ranging from the men and floats of the three armed services, CRPF, ex-servicemen, besides various companies of the Tamil Nadu police, NCC and Road Safety Patrol.

The prestigious T-72 tank, Ajeet aircraft used for precision bombing, the Chetak helicopter and choice weapons including the surface-to-air missile rolled past hundreds of people who had gathered on either side of Kamaraj Salai.

Mr. Karunanidhi then presented the `Anna Medals for Gallantry' to seven persons - Messrs. T.N. Hariharan, G. Rangaramanujam, S. Anthony James and T. Gopalakrishnan from Nagapattinam district - C. Sivaraman of Coimbatore district, Ms. V. Palani of Tuticorin district and Master M. Vimalrajkumar from Erode district, for their acts of bravery.

Mr. Karunanidhi also presented the `Kottai Ameer' Communal Harmony Award to Mr. G. Sultan Moideen of Thanjavur and the `Uthamar Gandhi Police Medal' to four police personnel for their outstanding work in curtailing illicit liquor. They included Mr. V. Varadharaju, ASP, PEW, Tuticorin, Mrs. P.C. Thenmozhi, ASP, PEW, Thanjavur, Mr. M.X.B. Stanley, Inspector, Theni district and Mr. V. Chandrasekaran, Sub-inspector, Madurai district.

Even as school and college students presented a mixed carnival, the `Rajasthan Dance' by girl students of St. John's Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Mandaveli, Chennai, bagged the first prize. Girls from the Government Higher Secondary School in Ashok Nagar won the second prize for their Kerala style `Mohini Attam' performance, while students of the YMCA College were adjudged third for their gymnastics display.

Troupes from the South Zone Cultural Centre also chipped in with their `Koppu Nadanam' of Andhra Pradesh, and `Kummatti dance' of Kerala. A dance presentation by the State Information and Tourism Department depicting the oneness of humanity enthralled the audience, followed by a lively piece of Tamil folk dance, `Thappattai Attam', by the Dr. Somasundaram troupe from Madurai.

A procession of floats came as a finale to the celebrations, with as many as 25 departments of the Tamil Nadu Government, including agriculture, industries, health and family welfare and rural development, highlighting the achievements of the last four-and-a-half years.

Later, the Education Minister, Mr. K. Anbazhagan, inaugurated a photography exhibition organised by the State Information Department at Kalaivanar Arangam, to mark the golden jubilee of the Indian Republic. It included some rare photographs like the late Chief Minister, C.N. Annadurai piloting the historic bill in the Assembly to legalise self-respect marriages.

In the evening, the Governor, hosted a tea at the Raj Bhavan. The Chief Minister, his Cabinet colleagues, consular representatives and various dignitaries graced the occasion.

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