Madurai Republic Day Celebrations Feature Welfare Distribution and Vibrant Cultural Events
The Madurai district administration marked Republic Day with a significant distribution of welfare assistance and a series of engaging cultural performances at the Armed Reserve Ground on Monday. Collector K J Praveen Kumar led the celebrations, which underscored the government's commitment to social welfare and cultural heritage.
Welfare Assistance and Official Ceremonies
Under various government schemes, welfare assistance worth ₹61.93 lakh was distributed to 30 beneficiaries, highlighting the administration's efforts to support the local community. Collector K J Praveen Kumar unfurled the national flag and received the police parade salute, setting a patriotic tone for the event.
In recognition of outstanding service, the collector presented certificates of appreciation and shields to 333 individuals, including district-level officers, police personnel, and social activists. Additionally, he awarded the chief minister's police medal to 285 police officers and personnel, comprising 103 from the district police and 182 from the Madurai city police.
Cultural Performances by Students and Artists
The celebrations featured several cultural performances that captivated the audience. A total of 642 students from eight schools participated, with performances by students of classes 6, 7, and 8 addressing social issues and keeping the crowd engaged.
Notably, nine students from Govt Adi Dravidar Welfare Middle School in Sembiyanenda presented the traditional Villu Paatu, which drew significant attention. Headmistress Malarvizhi A expressed pride in their participation, stating, "It is truly an honour to bring the students and participate. This experience gives them valuable exposure. Many people, including police officers, appreciated and encouraged our students." The participating students were Srinithi, Asmitha, Desika Sri, Sanjana, Siddarth, Hariswaran, Manishwarapandian, Maheshwarapandian, and Pranavpandian.
Folk Art and Mentorship
Folk artist Kalaimamani Govinda Raj, along with his students Sridhar S and Mahalingam M, performed Karagattam, receiving awards from the collector. Govinda Raj emphasized the importance of education and discipline in the art form, saying, "I ensure that all of my students are educated. Without a degree, I do not encourage them to join me. The art form is such that it requires dedication, effort and discipline."
Sridhar, a third-year student at the Tamil Nadu Govt Music College in Madurai and resident of Nagamalai Pudukottai, viewed the performance as an encouragement for future endeavors. He remarked, "I see this as an encouragement to perform many more performances. I thank my mentor for this guidance."
The event successfully blended official ceremonies with cultural richness, reinforcing the spirit of Republic Day in Madurai.
