Bhilai, Jan 27: 70th Republic Day was celebrated with patriotism and zeal in Durg on Saturday. The main event was held at Ravi Shankar Stadium where Tamradhwaj Sahu, Minister of Public Works, Home, Jail, Dharmasva, Religious Trusts, Tourism and Culture, was present as chief guest. He unfurled the national flag and took salute of the parade. On the occasion, the message of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was read from the stage. School students presented attractive cultural presentations and tableaux of 18 different government departments were displayed.
Divisional Commissioner Dilip Wasnikar District Collector Umesh Kumar Agrawal and Superintendent of Police Prakhar Pandey, accompanied the chief guest. Cabinet Minister Sahu read the message of CM Bhupesh Baghel. Attractive parade was presented jointly by Chhattisgarh Armed Force, District Police, Home Guards, NCC Senior & Junior, Scouts & Guides and Red Cross. The parade was led by Parade Commander Sub Inspector Neelesh Dwivedi and Tripti Singh Rajput. Chief Guest honoured the freedom fighters and family members of martyrs.
Students of Shankaracharya Vidyalaya Hudco and KPS Sundar Nagar presented PT Drill. Cultural programmes were presented by students of various schools. Carrying forward the tradition, various government departments including Central Jail, District Industries Center, Cooperative Department, Agriculture Department, Environment Conservation Department, Fisheries, Education, Health, Tandula Water Resources, District Panchayat, Forest Department, Labour Department, Bhilai Municipal Corporation, Women and Child Development Department, Social Welfare Department, Public Health Engineering and Tribal Development Department had set up attractive tableaux.
As the school students dared rains to present attractive programmes, the Chief Guest declared all the schools to be winners. In the same way, tableaux of all the departments were declared winners of first position. Employees / personnel of various departments were honored for distinguished services. Chhattisgarh Armed Force received first prize for armed parade while Durg District Police received second prize. In unarmed category, Scout, NCC and Red Cross jointly received first prize. Elected representatives, dignitaries, government officials, school children and common people were present in large number.