Republic Day was celebrated in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu with patriotic fervour. At Marina, Governor Banwarilal Purohit unfurled the national flag. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and other top dignitaries were part of the celebrations at Marina, which witnessed parade and colourful cultural events.
The whole city is under a security blanket. In his message, Banwarilal Purohit said, "I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Tamil Nadu on the joyous occasion of the 69 th anniversary of the Republic Day." "The Republic Day is an occasion for formal observance by the nation to honour the day on which the constitution of India came into effect. The day reminds us that essence of our democracy lies in the understanding that the common people are the masters of the nation," he said further.
Purohit added: "Let us all on this occasion take a pledge to develop our nation to the maximum extent utilizing our resources optimally and in a manner that is guided by technology, fuelled by sincerity and driven by concern for the common people. May the spirit of our Constitution fill the air and devotion to the nation be the life breath that sustains and inspires us." Panneerselvam extended his Republic Day greetings to the people, calling upon them to work hard to uplift the country and make the state a pioneer. In his message this morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Happy Republic Day to all fellow Indians. सभी देशवासियों को #गणतंत्रदिवस की शुभकामनाएं। जय हिन्द!"
