The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : `Government committed to ensuring social justice'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 27, 2006

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

`Government committed to ensuring social justice'

Staff Reporter

Fisheries Minister takes salute at Republic Day parade

SALUTE TO THE NATION: Minister for Fisheries and Sports Dominic Presentation inspecting a Guard of Honour at the Republic Day parade in Kochi on Thursday. Photo: Vipinchandran

KOCHI: The 57th Republic Day was celebrated in the district with various functions on Thursday.

At the Ambedkar Stadium, near the KSRTC bus stand, Fisheries and Sports Minister Dominic Presentation hoisted the National Tricolour. Mr. Presentation said the Government was committed to ensuring social justice to people belonging to the weaker sections of society.

Mr. Presentation said several development activities had been planned for Kochi. The Prime Minister will arrive next month in connection with the launch of some of these projects, he said. The Minister said work on the first synthetic track in South India was progressing at the Government Maharaja's College stadium. A sum of Rs.1 crore had been earmarked for the renovation of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor.

The Minister inspected the parade and took the salute. K. Babu and Ludy Luiz, MLAs; District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish; City Police Commissioner P.Vijayan; Additional District Magistrate Johnson K. George and Fort Kochi RDO Mini Antony were also present.

In the parade, NCC Senior Division (Army) and NCC Army Wing Junior Division (Girls) won prizes.

In the Scouts section, St. Joseph's HSS and St. Mary's HSS bagged prizes. St. Teresa's Lower Primary School, Thattazham L.P.School, Vaduthala and Chathyath L.M. C.C.H.S.S. won the prizes in the Bulbul Section. In the Junior Red Cross, CCPLM HS, Perumanoor and St. Antony's HSS, Kacheripady won the prizes. In Cub Section, LM CCHS, Chathyath and Thattazham LPS won the prizes.

In Band, St. Teresa's HSS and St. Mary's HSS won prizes. The prizes were distributed to the winners by Mr. Presentation.

Ceremonial parade

The Southern Naval Command celebrated the Republic Day with Vice Admiral S.C.S. Bangara, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, Kochi laying the wreath at the War Memorial. It was followed by a ceremonial parade at the Naval Base, Kochi.

The Naval Base wore a festive look with National Flags fluttering all around and the ships adorned with colourful flags.

Vice-Admiral Bangara inspected a 50-men Guard of Honour and reviewed the parade comprising 30 platoons, including 6-armed platoons, two platoons of Defence Security Corps, one platoon of Sea Cadet Corps and the Naval Band.

The highlights of the parade included parading of the `President's Colour.'

The Commander-in-Chief took the salute at an impressive march past held by Commander Navneet Singh.

Commendation by the Chief of Naval Staff for dedication, professional competence, honesty of purpose and integrity was presented to one officer, three sailors and two defence civilians. Addressing the gathering, Vice- Admiral Bangara said the Indian Navy was seen as being significant for the promotion and protection of regional stability.

"We have frequently been receiving visitors from various parts of the world who show keen interest in either establishing or further strengthening training cooperation with us," he added.

The Admiral also highlighted the need to pay more attention to road safety and careful driving, as well as to improve overall security consciousness among all personnel. Rear Admiral V.S. Chaudhari, Flag Officer Sea Training, received the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief at the Parade ground.

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