File photo of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. (Press Trust of India)
The 66th Republic Day was celebrated with fervour with Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah unfurling the national flag and Chief Minister O Panneerselvam giving away annual awards to police personnel and civilians.
Mr Rosaiah hoisted the national flag as the Chetak helicopter of the Indian Air Force showered rose petals near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the famous Marina beach stretch.
The Governor later took the salute at an impressive march-past by the armed forces, state police divisions and scouts and guides, among others.
Cultural events, including folk dances from different states, were presented by college and school students.
Several tableaux by the defence forces, including the latest India's Main Battle Tank Arjun Mk II and T-72 battle tanks, and by state government were also paraded.
Chief Minister O Panneerselvam presented the Gandhi Adigal Awards, Anna Gallantry Medals and Kottai Ameer Award for communal harmony to various recipients. Each of these carried cash reward and medals.
Lieutenant General J Singh, Commodore Amar K Mahadevan, Air Commodore Rippon Gupta, Inspector General Satya Prakash Sharma, Director General of Police Ashok Kumar, Chennai Police Commissioner S George and members of the Consular Corps of various countries were present at the parade.
Earlier, Mr Rosaiah visited the nearby Victory War Memorial and paid homage to martyred soldiers.