Independence Day was celebrated amidst patriotic fervour in Tiruchi on Saturday.

Collector Pratik Tayal hoisted the national flag at the Armed Reserve Police Ground in the city. He inspected the guard of honour presented by the Armed Reserve police personnel and felicitated freedom fighters and their family members with shawls and mementos. He awarded medals and certificates of appreciation to 460 best performers in various government departments.

Mr. Tayal distributed welfare assistance totalling ₹7.97 lakh to about 50 beneficiaries. A total of 680 students from various schools and colleges in the district staged cultural performances and a march past.

V. Balakrishnan, Inspector-General of Police, Central Zone, N. Kamini, Commissioner of Police, Tiruchi City, Dongare Pravin Umesh, Superintendent of Police, and senior officials participated.

Earlier, Mr. Tayal paid respects at the World War I Memorial in front of the Gandhi Market.

Mayor M. Anbazhagan hoisted the tricolour flag at Tiruchi Corporation office. Corporation Commissioner Veer Pratap Singh, Deputy Mayor G. Dhivya, zonal chairpersons, councillors, and officials were present.

Mr. Tayal participated in the grama sabha meeting held at Thenpuranadu village in Uppiliyapuram block. He distributed ₹14 lakh as financial aid to seven women self-help groups.

Mitigating shortage

Mr. Anbazhagan said the Corporation had obtained government funds to drill 25 borewells along the Kollidam to meet the city’s drinking water requirements, and that tenders would be floated soon.

He presented service recognition awards to 10 officers and employees of the Corporation for completing 25 years of service. About 31 employees received appreciation certificates for their dedicated service. The Mayor distributed cash prizes to six children of the Corporation employees who had secured the highest marks in Class 10 and 12 public examinations.

Later, he paid respects at the Gandhi Asthi Mandapam and at the War Memorial at Gandhi Market.

G. Natarajan, Postmaster General, Central Region, hoisted the national flag and delivered a special address at the Independence Day celebration at the Tiruchi Head Post Office. Employees of the Department of Posts and their children presented cultural programmes, a release said.

Customs office

Speaking at the Independence Day celebration at the Customs office here, P.V.N. Suresh Babu, Chief Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) Zone, Tiruchi, said Customs officers had a crucial role in creating a secure and seamless trading environment that supports economic growth while preventing misuse of borders.

The Customs officers were working hard to prevent smuggling of gold, drugs, silver, and other items by keeping a constant vigil. Of late, the officers were making good detections at airports, he said.

Published - August 15, 2026 08:33 pm IST