The 20th anniversary celebrations of Sri Sarvamangala Nagar Residents’ Association in Chitlapakkam, Chennai, was celebrated in a grand manner during which 97-year-old freedom fighter and former MLA N Sankaraiah were honoured with ‘Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Award.’
A press release said the event began by observing two-minute silence in memory of the jawans who lost their lives in the recent terrorist attack at Pulwama in Kashmir. S Narasimhan, son of Sankariah, received the award on behalf of his father. Madras High Court judge Justice M Venugopal was the chief guest.
Sriperumbudur MP K N Ramachandran, former MP C Rajendran, Chitlapakkam Special Grade Town Panchayat former president R Mohan, Municipal Administration retired additional director D S Sivasamy, convener, Co-ordination Committee of Welfare Associations of Chitlapakkam were the guests of honour.
Students who scored distinction in class 10 and 12 public examinations held in 2017 were honoured with cash awards.
“Those with overall distinction were honoured with ‘Freedom Fighter Shri P N Srinivasan Memorial Award’ instituted by his family members,” the release said.
Winner and participant prizes were distributed to those who took part in the annual sports and talent-related competitions conducted by the association.
Special Invitees – Care Earth Trust – Chennai, managing trustee Jayshree Vencatesan, Nature Conservancy India, project manager M Nisha Priya, were also honoured.
The cultural events included Bharatanatyam by students of ‘Sri Bharathi Kalalayam’ and ‘Hamsapadakalasadan’, sloka recital and folk dances by children. Women from the association enacted a skit on the importance of self-discipline and environmental cleanliness.
Association secretary M Ravi welcomed the gathering and highlighted the activities of the association from its inception and demanded that pending civic issues should be resolved at the earliest.