Kiran Bedi in spotlight at Pondy Republic Day celebrations

Puducherry: Puducherry celebrated the 68th Republic day with Lt Governor Kiran Bedi unfurling the national flag and giving away awards to police personnel for extraordinary service. After inspecting a guard of honour by Puducherry Police, the Lt Governor took the salute at a march past by contingents of police, Home Guards, Ex-Service, students of government and private schools.

In her Republic Day message, Ms Bedi said that Puducherry government is committed to making Puducherry “swachh, safe, and developed Union Territory” by providing “honest and accountable” governance. She urged the people of Puducherry to adopt the digital mode of transactions which will result in transparency and higher generation of revenue to the government.
The Lt Governor expressed satisfaction over the law and order situation in the Union Territory. “The law and order situation in the state is peaceful and under control. The prime motive of Puducherry government is to ensure safety and security to the people through effective policing” she said.

Ms Bedi said that a sum of Rs 94.51 crore had been earmarked during fiscal 2016-2017 to ensure power supply to all sections of people in the Union Territory. Talking on “Swachh Bharath Mission” the governor said that the state is committed to the Prime Minister that Puducherry would emerge as an open defecation-free Union Territory by October 2 this year. Ms Bedi presented the Lt Governor's police medal for extraordinary service to the inspector of Police R Karthikeyan and Sub-Inspectors S Subramanian and K Subba Rao was presented Lt Governor's commendation certificates for extraordinary service.

Superintendent of police V Deivasigamani, Superintendent of police Ramachandra Mohan, Inspector of Police Rajasankar Vellat and Sub-inspector of police E Venkateswara Rao had been selected for President's Police medals for meritorious services. A number of schools were given the Chief Minister's and Education Minister's rolling trophies in recognition of their best performance in public exams in 2015-16. Bharatha Natyam dancer R Divya was also honoured on the occasion for her work and contribution.

Various governments and Public Sector Undertakings presented tableaux on the occasion and cultural programme by school children added to the glitter of the celebration. Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Speaker V Vaithilingam, Ministers, MLAs and other senior officials were also present on the occasion. The Chief Minister later unfurled the national flag on the Assembly premises.