Date:16/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/16/stories/2008081658650300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Air thick with patriotic zeal

Staff Reporter

Host of programmes marked Independence Day celebrations

Photo: V. Ganesan

WAVES OF FERVOUR: School students lined up near the Fort St. George wave the Tricolour as dignitaries arrive for the Independence Day celebrations on Friday. —

CHENNAI: A host of programmes by government departments, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions and residents’ welfare associations marked the Independence Day celebrations in the city on Friday.

Patriotic fervour was in the air as the organisations celebrated the day by hoisting the national flag, conducting cultural programmes and blood donation camps, and distributing aid to the under-privileged.

Local Administration Minister M.K.Stalin unfurled the tricolour on the Chennai Metrowater premises and distributed gold medals and certificates to 17 drivers with an accident free track record for two decades. Metrowater managing director Sunil Paliwal was among the officials who participated in the function.

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister K.R. Periakaruppan participated in the special darshan and feast held at Parthasarathy Swamy Temple, Triplicane.

At the Ripon Building, Mayor M.Subramanian hoisted the flag and distributed marriage and maternity assistance worth nearly Rs.2 lakh to 20 persons. The celebrations also included cultural performances by about 200 students from six Corporation schools. Chennai Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni took part in the function.

Awards to drivers and branch managers for their meritorious service and cash prizes to wards of employees who topped in public examinations marked the Independence Day celebrations of Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC). Transport secretary Debendranath Sarangi and MTC managing director M.Ramasubramanian were present at the function.

Several non-governmental organisations and residents’ welfare associations celebrated the day by felicitating achievers in various fields, including social service.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) employees and their family members took out a rally from the staff quarters in Besant Nagar to Elliots Beach to create awareness about banking operations. About 400 participants carried placards with messages about proper handling of currency notes and distributed pamphlets at the Beach. RBI’s Regional Director F.R.Joseph participated in the rally.

Many people donated blood at a camp organised by charitable trust Sevalaya in Thiruninravur. Students of Sivananda Orphanage, Kattankulathur, took part in various competitions and learnt about the freedom struggle at the function.

The night patrolling team of Lakshmi Nagar Civic Welfare Association in Nanganallur was felicitated . The Association’s secretary V.Rama Rao and Pazhavanthangal police inspector R.Lakshmi Narayanan took part in the function.

Members of the Chromepet New Colony Welfare Society felicitated four persons in their area who were born in 1947 and social service organisation Smile. The Association president V.Santhanam said the family of the late Seethapathy Naidu who had preserved Mahatma Gandhi’s autograph was also honoured.

At D.G.Vaishnav College, a programme highlighting the significance of organ donation and a diabetes detection camp was organised. Students of Guru Nanak College took out a rally to create awareness of hazards of smoking.

Tourism Minister N. Suresh Rajan took part in the Independence Day celebrations and feast at Karaneeswarar Temple, Saidapet. The Young Men Christian Association’s Royapettah branch and YMCA Boys Town Higher Secondary School, Kottivakkam, also celebrated the day with flag-hoisting.