‘Illuminated’ tricolour at Coimbatore airport

Schools and colleges also joined the day by organising various events to mark the occasion. After accepting the guard of honour by members of various uniformed services at the Police Recruits School Ground in Coimbatore, Collector T N Hariharan disbursed welfare assistance to the tune Rs 5.03 crore to 416 beneficiaries. He also gave away the Chief Minister’s meritorious service medal to 76 police personnel. 

Around 1,000 persons presented cultural programmes. A 100-foot-tall flag mast was dedicated at the entrance of the Coimbatore international airport and the tricolour was hoisted by the airport director G Prakash Reddy. The personnel of Airports Authority of India, Central Industrial Security Force, staff of various airlines and passengers attended the event. 

The ‘illuminated’ flag (that is light will be thrown on the tricolour using a high-mast lamps after sunset) will fly high round the clock.  In The Nilgiris, Collector P Shankar hoisted the national flag at the Government Arts College Ground and inspected the parade. The celebrations were held for more than 3 hours. Salem district collector V Sampath released white pigeons and colourful balloons after unfurling the tricolour at the Mahatma Gandhi Stadium. 

Freedom fighters and their dependents were honoured during the occasion and the Collector gave away the Chief Minister’s meritorious service medal to 63 police personnel. Close to 1,200 school students presented cultural programmes. In Namakkal, Collector Asia Mariam hoisted the national flag at the district stadium and honoured freedom fighters and their dependents before presenting shields and certificates of appreciation to staff from various government departments in recognition of their service.