The 80th Independence Day was celebrated with fervour in Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, and Tiruvannamalai districts on Saturday.

In Vellore, Collector P.S. Leela Alex unfurled the tricolour and reviewed the Guard of Honour at Nethaji Stadium. She honoured 66 freedom fighters’ family members in recognition of their contributions. She also distributed appreciation certificates to 241 government staff for good work. Earlier, the Collector hoisted the tricolour on the ramparts of Vellore Fort and paid floral tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the entrance of the campus.

District Revenue Officer D. Suresh, Superintendent of Police N.U. Sivaraman, project director, DRDA, Jayasudha, and Vellore Mayor Sujatha Anandakumar, were among officials who participated.

The Academy of Prison and Correctional Administration (APCA) at Thorapadi that comes under Vellore Corporation celebrated 80th Independence Day at its campus. B. Pradeep, Director, APCA, and P. Govindarajan, Deputy Director, along with professors, staff members, and trainee officers, participated in the celebrations.

In Tiruvannamalai district, Collector Vandana Garg hoisted the tricolour. She handed over merit certificates to 552 government officers, employees, and representatives of NGOs. Ms. Garg also honoured freedom fighters and their kith and kin on the occasion. Superintendent of Police D. Uthayakumar, K. Sudhakar, District Forest Officer (DFO), A. Siva Subramanian, District Revenue Officer (DRO) and P. Kanchana, project officer, DRDA, was present.

In Ranipet, Collector Priya Ravichandran distributed government welfare assistance to 26 beneficiaries worth ₹1.03 crore as part of Independence Day celebrations. She also gave away merit certificates to 388 government staff for good work. Superintendent of Police P. Sibin, N. Saravanan, District Revenue Officer (DRO) and S. Selvarani, project officer, DRDA, was present.

Tirupattur Collector G. Ravikumar hoisted the national flag at the parade ground of the district police at Pachal village near Jolarpet town in the district. He distributed government welfare assistance to beneficiaries and merit certificates to 344 government staff of various departments.

More than 2,500 police personnel have been deployed in Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, and Tiruvannamalai districts as part of security arrangements for the 80th Independence Day celebrations.