Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Men in khakis can play host too

— Photo: S. James

AS GOOD AS REAL:Collector C. Kamaraj and other officials looking at figures of bull and tamer at the Pongal celebration held near Mariamman Teppakulam on Thursday.

MADURAI: For a change, police personnel played the role of hosts. The occasion was Pongal celebration at Teppakulam — a popular spot for locals and tourists, especially foreigners, in the city on Thursday.

Policemen and officers vied with each other in welcoming the guests that included school and college students. Foreigners, who received a rousing reception from the police, were thrilled on seeing artistes playing the traditional instruments, ‘nagaswaram' and ‘thavil.'

Inspector General of Police (South Zone) S.S. Krishnamoorthy, Collector C. Kamaraj, Corporation Commissioner S. Sebastine among other officers from various agencies witnessed a variety entertainment presented by school students for about 45 minutes.

Two events — ‘pot breaking' and lifting of ‘maappillai kal' (lifting a heavy stone to show one's valour) was the cynosure.

Though many youth attempted it, an auto-rickshaw driver was the lucky winner to break the pot.

Sweet pongal cooked at the venue by girl students of Thiagarajar College was served to all guests. ‘Silambam,' and ‘oyilattam' performed by boys from Setupathi School in a colourful attire was appreciated by one and all.

Even as the guests were going round the model huts and sugarcane stalks put up at the venuel, the sudden presence of a bull — expected to participate in the ‘jallikattu' — took everybody by shock.

Mr. Kamaraj and Mr. Krishnamoorthy wished the guests a happy pongal and told reporters that ‘jallikattu; will be conducted as per the directives and guidelines of the apex court. Close to 600 policemen and officers would be deployed for bandobust, they said.

Maiden attempt

The guests commended Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) K. Maghudapathy and his team for the arrangements made for the maiden attempt by the city police.

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