Bedi unfurls tricolour, DMK, AIADMK, AINRC skip event

The flag hoisting ceremony was followed by march-pasts by various contingents including police, home guard, ex-servicemen, students, scouts and guides. Tableaux depicting achievements of various departments of the territorial administration besides cultural programmes were also exhibited to mark the occasion.

Bedi presented the Lt Governor’s police medal for extraordinary service to sub-inspectors Mariadass and Manivannan, and head constable Gajendran Prakash at the function here. Bedi also presented the commendation certificate for extraordinary service to five police personnel, including A Kannan, inspector of police D Nagar.

Bedi also presented the Chief Minister’s/Education Minister’s rolling trophies for outstanding performance in the school final examinations to 50 schools here.

On Saturday evening, she also hosted a tea party at the lawn of Raj Niwas to mark the Republic Day celebration.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, his cabinet colleagues, speaker V Vaithilingam among others attended the party while the legislators of the congress, AIADMK, DMK and NR Congress failed to turn up.

In her message on the eve of the 70th Republic Day, the former IPS officer said that the focus this year should be to ensure that every child is healthy and parents contribute to the health, growth, education and character building of their children.

Bedi called upon officers to never forget their oaths. Officers should take the government to doorsteps of the people and also ensure that the money earmarked for the schemes is only spent for the right purpose, without being diverted, the Lt Governor said.

Citing the Water Rich Puducherry programme as a “wonderful model” of community involvement, the Lt Governor said, “Community involvement can work wonders for implementing schemes.”