Cultural festival to highlight Pondy Liberation Day

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, AUG. 13. The Department of Art and Culture, along with the South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur, will hold a three-day art and cultural festival for the 15th year in succession from August 16 to mark Pondicherry's liberation from the French rule and merger with the Indian Union.

Pondicherry became free de facto in 1954. The de jure transfer of power came into force in 1962. A Treaty of Cession was signed between the French and Indian Governments. The Territorial Administration drew up a programme in 1987 to celebrate Fete De Pondichery from August 16 every year.

Cultural troupes from Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Pondicherry would present programmes in Gandhi Thidal, Kamban Kalai Arangam, Nettapakkam, Sandhai Pudhukuppam and Veerapattinam.

The Lt. Governor, Dr. Rajani Rai, will inaugurate the fete in Gandhi Thidal. More than 250 artistes would stage cultural events.

Mr. Lalgudi Jayaraman, a renowned violinist, will perform on the opening day.

I-Day arrangements

Meanwhile, the Senior Superintendent of Police (Law and Order) has said invitees to the Independence Day celebrations in the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex at Uppalam should enter the venue via the Vambakeerapalayam road. Those who did not have car pass should park their vehicles in places earmarked on the Vambakeerapalayam road outside the complex.

Invitees are requested not to bring handbags, food packets, water bottles, cameras and any other baggage. None would be allowed entry after 8.30 a.m. and cycles, scooters and other vehicles should be kept in allotted places with extra locks. Those who were not issued invitation cards could reach the complex through Ambedkar Salai. Two wheelers could be parked on the campus of Petit Seminaire Primary school.

The traffic authorities have banned movement of vehicles including cycles on the beach road from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on August 15. Roads around Aayee Mandapam and Bharathi park would be closed for vehicles from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

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Section  : Southern States
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