Date:27/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/27/stories/2006012713810500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Tricolour unfurled, pledges made

Special Correspondent

Government departments, public sector companies and political parties mark Republic Day

CHENNAI : The hoisting of the tricolour in government establishments, public sector undertakings and offices of political parties marked the 57th Republic Day celebrations in the State.

At the Balan Illam here, the CPI headquarters, the party's State Deputy Secretary, C. Mahendran, unfurled the national flag.

The former president of BJP, M. Venkaiah Naidu hoisted the tricolour at the party headquarters here. He said everyone's motto should be "nation first, party next and self last." The priorities should be poverty alleviation, ending the urban-rural divide, redressing regional imbalances and primary education for all.

At the Janata Dal (Secular) office, the party general secretary, V.P. Idhayavannan, unfurled the tricolour.

The vice-president of the Indian National Trade Union Congress, N. Nanjappan, unfurled the national flag at the union office. Bi Bi John, a member, hoisted the national flag at the Tamil Nadu Wakf Board office.

At the Southern Railway headquarters, the Southern Railway General Manager, Thomas Varghese, unfurled the flag.

He said the Southern Railway had been continuously improving its safety record. About Rs.127 crore was being spent for improvement of tracks, bridges, signalling system and replacement of old assets.

At the ONGC office at Egmore, Group General Manager, P.S.N.Kutty, hoisted the tricolour. He said the corporation would begin deepwater drilling in the Cauvery offshore soon under the "Sagar Samriddhi" programme. The Managing Director of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd., K.K. Acharya, hoisted the national flag at the corporation's Manali Refinery Complex. The General Manager (Regional Services), M. Nageswaran, hoisted the national flag at the Indian Oil Corporation's southern regional headquarters here.

At the Integral Coach Factory, the General Manager, P. Raja Goundan, unfurled the national flag at the ICF Stadium.

The Chief Commissioner of Central Excise, Chennai Zone, A.C. Buck, hoisted the national flag at the zonal headquarters.

The Managing Director of the State Express Transport Corporation, K. Chandrasekaran, hoisted the national flag at the head office and distributed employer awards to workmen.

The State Election Commissioner, V. Palanichamy unfurled the tricolour at the State Election Commission.

At Chennai Port Turst, chairman K. Suresh unfurled the national flag.