Date:27/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/27/stories/2006012714920300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Cultural events mark R-Day fete

Staff Reporter

Medical and blood donation camps held; aid distributed to the poor

PYRAMID PATRIOTISM: Students of North Chennai Social Service Middle School demonstrate exercises at the MCC Higher Secondary School during the 57th Republic Day celebrations in Chennai on Thursday. — Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

CHENNAI: The national flag was hoisted and cultural programmes held at several venues in the city to observe the 57th Republic Day of the country.

The Minister for Information and Broadcasting, K.P. Anbazhagan, raised the tricolour at the Chennai Corporation Ripon Building and the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) headquarters. The commissioner, M.P. Vijayakumar, was present for the function at the Ripon Buildings.

The Minister took the salute at a parade of children from corporation schools. Students from 12 schools presented cultural programmes.

The Minister gave away prizes to participants.

Metrowater director V. Thangavelu and senior engineers were present at the function held at the CMWSSB premises.

Pallavan Illam of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Chennai Port Trust, Integral Coach Factory, Southern Railway, the Income Tax and Central Excise Departments all had flag-hoisting ceremonies on Thursday morning.

Cultural programmes and prize distribution for sports events accompanied the Republic Day function at most schools and colleges in the city.

Our Tambaram Staff Reporter reports:

Medical camps, blood donation camps, cultural programmes in schools and distribution of aid to the poor marked the Republic Day celebrations in different areas of the city's southern suburbs.

New World Youth Club, Chromepet, a 11-year-old voluntary organisation, distributed aid and clothes to the poor and aged at the Jaigopal Garodia National Higher Secondary School, East Tambaram.

A blood donation camp was also organised in the school by Grace Servers, a voluntary organisation. Members of the Tambaram Unit of Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam donated blood at the Chromepet Government Hospital.

S.R. Raja, chairman, Tambaram municipality, L.C.K. David, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Tambaram Range and Aanai Panneerselvam of Makkal Maamandram were also present.

At Sivananda Saraswathi Sevashram, Kattankulathur, Babu Ramasamy, regional officer, Central Board of Film Certification, hoisted the tricolour and distributed sweets to inmates. The Nallappa Street Residents' Welfare Association at Nehru Nagar, Chromepet, held the celebrations at the children's playground in their locality.

The Chromepet New Colony Residents' Welfare Association organised its annual free health camp along with the Tiruneermalai Lions Club.

P. Dhan Singh, chairman, Pallavaram municipality chairman, inaugurated the health camp. At the Chennai airport, S. Subramanian, airport director, hoisted the national flag.

Cultural programmes formed part of the celebrations at the Zion Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Indira Nagar, Selaiyur near Tambaram. Captain N.R. Ravi was the chief guest.