NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, JAN 26
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi unfurled the national flag, in the presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin and other dignitaries, here on Friday and the 75th Republic Day celebrations were marked by a march past of contingents of the Armed forces, the state police and colourful cultural events that showcased the Tamil pride.
On the 75th Republic Day, Governor Ravi unfurled the national flag at Marina, Chennai, and took salutes to the Republic Day contingents.#RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/W7tspJKYgQ
— RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) January 26, 2024
An Indian Air Force helicopter showed flower petals over the national flag and the saluting base near the Labour Statue on Kamarajar Salai, as the national anthem was sung.
Besides the traditional parade, cultural performances of troupes from Odisha, Manipur and Karnataka attracted attention. A key highlight was the cultural events by students; with the revolutionary Tamil poet Bharathidasan’s ‘Tamizhukum Amudhu Endru Per’ song forming the theme. The R-Day celebrations were held on Kamarajar Salai near the Marina beachfront.
Governor Ravi commenced his address by expressing gratitude to the martyrs, freedom fighters, and members of the armed forces, emphasising their contributions to the country’s freedom and security.
Governor Ravi paid homage to the martyrs at the War Memorial in Chennai on the 75th Republic Day. pic.twitter.com/YMs6Zi0dTr
— RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) January 26, 2024
Governor Ravi, in his Republic Day message said the epochal event of the Pran Pratishtha of Sri Ram Lalla in the Ayodhya Lord Ram temple has enthused the entire nation. “Sri Ram has a deep connect with Tamil Nadu. His story has inspired and enriched Tamil literature since the Sangam period, constitutes the soul of Carnatic music and has enriched our classical dance,” Ravi said.
It was in Tamil Nadu that the most ardent among the devotees of Sri Ram and great poet Kambar wrote in Tamil, the ‘Ramavataram’ – long before the story of Sri Rama was told in other Indian languages after the first one in Sanskrit, the Governor said.
Governor Ravi highlighted the significant role of Tamil Nadu’s sports personalities, including Master R Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Mariyappan Thangavelu, Dipika Pallikal, Joshna Chinnappa, CABhawani Devi, Sharath Kamal, and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, in shaping India into a sports superpower by 2047.
