District Collector TN Hariharan today honoured a few freedom fighters and distributed welfare measures worth Rs 14.99 crore to 554 people.

Earlier, he unfurled the National Flag to mark the 71st Independence Day celebrations in the district and took salute during the police parade.

City Police Commissioner Dr A Amalraj and West Zone IG A Pari were among the senior police and district officials present at the function held amid tight security in and around VOC Park Grounds.

Corporation Commissioner Dr Vijayakarthikeyan hoisted the tricolor at the City Corporation office and handed over a purse of Rs 2,000 each to 14 corporation workers for their unblemished service for the
last 25 years.

In his address after hoisting the National Flag at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vice-Chancellor Dr K Ramasamy recalled the services rendered by martyrs for the country’s freedom.

The Vice-Chancellor inspected the parade by NCC and NSS volunteers along with varsity NCC officers Lt K.M.Sellamuthu and Capt S. Manonmani. University officers, scientists, staff, students and children of TNAU campus schools participated in the celebrations.

Science and technology had paved the way for enhancing the food production five-fold since Independence, he said, pointing out that the country stood second in the world in agricultural production.