NILGIRIS: The 77th Republic Day was celebrated at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in the Nilgiris, where captive elephants raised their trunks in salute to the national flag at the Theppakadu elephant camp.
The national flag was hoisted by field director R Kiruba Shankar, after which five captive elephants Bommi, Krishna, Giri, Bhama and Kamatchi paid tribute by lifting their trunks.
Mahouts seated atop the elephants saluted the national flag, while forest department personnel held a parade inspected by the field director
Deputy directors Ganesan and Vidyadhar, forest range officers, forest staff and tourists attended the celebrations; special food was later served to the elephants.
Similar Republic Day events were held across the Mudumalai, Kargudi, Masinagudi, Singara and Segur forest ranges, where flags were hoisted and sweets distributed.
Meanwhile, in Ariyalur district, 60-year-old Sengamalam from Kallur village rode 20 km on a two-wheeler with the national flag placed on a pot balanced on his head to take part in the 77th Republic Day celebrations at the district sports ground on Sunday. Sengamalam has been performing the feat for the past 10 years
Speaking at a function at BHEL Tiruchy unit, Executive Director S Prabhakar, said the company is fully geared up to contribute to the nation’s ambitious vision Viksit Bharat 2047 with enhanced focus on energy security, infrastructure, technological capability, self-reliance, and sustainable growth.
While addressing the employees at the Republic Day function held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the Kailasapuram Township of BHEL Tiruchy on Monday, Prabhakar said that BHEL Tiruchy unit is once again poised to take up the leadership role among all the units under BHEL Corporation, by stepping up its efforts towards contributing to the national development by executing a record number of thermal power projects for various public and private utilities across the country.
While a strong order book is a cause for pride, the real challenge before the company is adherence to stipulated delivery schedules and converting the inherent potential into performance by increasing its revenue and profitability, he observed.
Reiterating the importance of efficiency in all functions through cost optimisation, quality excellence, reduced cycle time, elimination of rework, controlling overheads and timely billing and cash collection, Prabhakar said that there is an urgent need for digitalisation, data-driven decision-making, and adoption of advanced manufacturing practices to remain competitive in an increasingly technology-driven global environment.
Expressing his confidence in the company attaining greater heights through teamwork, determination and excellence in execution, he urged the employees to work with renewed vigour to complete the projects in hand in time, Prabhakar added.