Coimbatore: Coimbatore District Collector TN Hariharan today unfurled the national flag here to mark the 69th Republic Day celebrations across the district.

After talking salute at a parade by Police, Hariharan distributed welfare schemes worth Rs 1.78 crore to 453 beneficiaries.

Senior police officials, including West Zone IG Pari, City Commissioner Periaiah and SP P Murthy were present on the occasion.

City Corporation Commissioner Dr K Vijayakarthikeyan hoisted the
tricolor on the Corporation premises.

He handed over merit certificate to officers who exceeded the target of tax collection during 2010-17 and also felicitated five students who scored 100 per cent in 10th Standard examinations.

Unfurling the national flag at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Vice-Chancellor Dr K Ramasamy said the successful implementation of innovative technologies had transformed India into a self-sufficient country in spite of the rising population.

Pointing out the role of TNAU in making Tamil Nadu in the forefront in agriculture, Ramasamy insisted that new strategies were being evolved to break yield barriers, to utilise inputs more efficiently to enhance the productivity.

Ramasamy also launched the new TNAU website which was now the store house of a variety of information that could cater to the needs of farming community.