Pondicherry: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy unfurled the national flag at the 60th Independence Day celebrations in the India Gandhi Sports Complex in Uppalam here on Tuesday. A large number of spectators witnessed the 90-minute long celebrations.

Speaker R. Radhakrishnan, Ministers, legislators, officials, Member of Parliament, V. Narayanasamy, former Speaker M.D.R. Ramachandran and freedom fighters were among those present.

The Chief Minister presented the President's distinguished service medal to James Trinite (Divisional Fire Officer). He presented the President's Police Medals for meritorious service to S. Kuppusamy (Superintendent of Police, Mahe) and to A. Kandanathan (Superintendent of Police-Pondicherry South). Leading Fireman R. Balavelan received the President's Fire Service Medal for meritorious service, while the Chief Minister's police medals for best service were presented to R. Segar (head constable, Food Cell) and to B. Baladanaradja (constable).

The Chief Minister's police medals for very good service were given away to Nalillacaran Hemachandran (sub-inspector, traffic wing) and to C. Durairaju (head constable).

The Chief Minister's Fire Service Medals for best services were distributed to leading firemen C. Krishnamurthy and D. Goplakrishnan.

Mr. Rangasamy distributed a cash award of Rs.5,000 and the Chief Secretary's Trophy to sub-inspector P. Arul Selvam of the Kalapet police station (adjudged best police station).

Senior division cadet captain R. Aravindraj received the Chief Minister's gold medal for excellent performance, while the Education Minister's silver medal and the Education Secretary's bronze medal were presented to K. Vasantha Kumari (Senior cadet captain) and P. Periasamy (Cadet senior under officer) respectively. P. Tamil Selvi (Junior division cadet) and G. Louis Arokiaraj (Cadet sergeant) were presented the Chief Minister's gold medal and Education Minister's silver medal respectively. Mr. Rangasamy presented the Education Secretary's bronze medal to R. Rohini (Junior division cadet).

Medical Officers Subashini and J. Alli Rani were presented cash award of Rs.2,000 each for their best performance in health services.

Jane Mary Andrew (Public health nurse in JIPMER) was presented a cash award of Rs.4,000 for her outstanding performance. Health inspectors S. Raman and G. Sivasankaran and field worker D. Nagamuthu were presented cash prizes of Rs.2,000 each. The Chief Minister presented Rs.3,000 each to G. Dhanalakshmi (auxillary nurse midwife) and C. Selvaraj (health assistant) in recognition of their services.

All these staff were presented certificates of merit also. Earlier Mr. Rangasamy inspected a guard of honour presented by the Pondicherry police. He also took salute at the march past by various contingents of the police, Home Guards, members of the NCC and the National Service Scheme, Ex-Servicemen, Scouts and Guides and school children.

The Pondicherry police and Home Guards presented a band display. Cultural programme by students of Sankara Vidhyalaya, Amalorpavam School and Jawahar Bal Bhavan also added glitter to the celebrations. Mr. Rangasamy later unfurled the national flag on the Assembly premises.

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