Chennai, Aug 12:
Ahead of Independence Day celebrations in Chennai, the route to be taken by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and the Secretariat premises have been declared a red zone, with a ban imposed on drone operations on August 14 and 15.
Vijay is set to hoist the national flag for the first time at the Fort St George flag mast in Chennai on August 15. He will also receive the ceremonial parade salute.
Security arrangements have been intensified along the route from Neelankarai to the Secretariat, with police carrying out heightened security measures in view of the Chief Minister’s movement.
Meanwhile, rehearsals for the Independence Day parade are being held at Marina Beach.
As part of the celebrations, Vijay will present the Thagaisal Tamilar Award, along with a ₹10 lakh cash prize and citation, to a person who has made significant contributions to Tamil Nadu and Tamil society.
He will also present several other State honours, including the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Award for excellence in science and technology, the Kalpana Chawla Award for courage and adventure, the Chief Minister’s Good Governance Award, awards for outstanding service to persons with disabilities, women’s welfare awards, awards for best local bodies and the Chief Minister’s State Youth Awards.
Vijay will become the seventh Chief Minister to hoist the national flag at the Fort St George flag mast on Independence Day, following former Chief Ministers M Karunanidhi, MGR, Jayalalithaa, O Panneerselvam, Edappadi K Palaniswami and M K Stalin.