The 63rd Republic Day was celebrated with usual pomp and gaiety at the Seethakathy-Sethupathy stadium here on Thursday.

Collector V. Arun Roy hoisted the national flag at the colourful ceremony. He inspected the guard of honour given by the Armed Reserve police personnel along with the Superintendent of Police, Kaliraj S. Mahesh Kumar.

Personnel of the Armed Reserve police, National Cadets Corps, Home Guard, National Service Scheme took out a parade, which was witnessed by a large number of people and students.

Besides releasing doves, Mr. Roy presented shawls to the freedom fighters for their service to the nation during the freedom struggle.

He also presented the Chief Minister medals to 33 policemen and certificates to about 32 officials for the meritorious service in their respective fields.

Sundaramoorthy, Tahsildar, Ramanathapuram, was among thosewho received the certificate.

Students of various schools participated in the cultural programme on the occasion of Republic Day.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police, M. Ramasubramani, District Revenue Officer K. Jayaraman took part in the celebrations.

Later, the Collector attended the Gram Sabha meeting held at Kalukoorani near here.

It was celebrated with enthusiasm in different parts of the district. Collector V. Rajaraman unfurled the tricolour at the colourful ceremony held at the Collectorate complex here.

He was given a guard of honour by the Armed Reserve police personnel here.

Accompanied by the Superintendent of Police, M. Panneerselvam, he accepted the guard of honour.

Later, the Armed Reserve personnel, National Cadets Corps carried out a march past.

Mr. Rajaraman met the freedom fighters, who had come from different parts of the district and presented shawls