Governor Banwarilal Purohit led the 69th Republic Day celebrations in Tamil Nadu on Friday, unfurling the Indian tricolour at the Marina to mark the occasion.

Purohit, who took over as Governor of Tamil Nadu in November 2017, unfurled the tricolour and later took the salute.

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Members of the armed forces and uniformed personnel took out an impressive march past on Kamaraj Salai along the famous Marina beach here, even as a good number of public had turned up to witness the proceedings.

Cultural shows depicting India’s diversity were presented by college students and artistes, while the state government showcased its schemes and projects covering various departments by way of floats.

The floats predominantly featured the pictures of late Chief Ministers and AIADMK stalwarts, MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, besides those of the incumbent, K Palaniswami.

The armed forces also displayed their floats.

Members of the state cabinet including Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Speaker P Dhanapal, Chief Justice of Madras High Court, Justice Indira Banerjee, consular officials representing different countries and elected members among others were present during the celebrations.

The Chief Minister gave away various awards to policemen and private individuals for various achievements.

These included the Anna Medal for Gallantry, presented to an RPF constable for saving a passenger who fell from a train, the Gandhi Adigal Police Medal for personnel who had done outstanding work in curtailing illicit liquor. Five policemen received the award.

The Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award was also given away. A farmer from Dharmapuri district was honoured for ensuring “highest yield” by adopting the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method for paddy cultivation.

He was chosen for the award for the year 2017, the government said.

Earlier, the Governor paid tributes at the Victory War Memorial here, in the presence of senior officials of the armed forces.

He laid a wreath to pay homage to martyrs in remembrance of their laying down their lives for the country.

Meanwhile, the Republic Day was also held across the state, with District Collectors leading the celebrations.