Puducherry, Jan 26 : Puducherry Lt Governor Iqbal Singh today unfurled the national flag at Ouppalam Indira Gandhi Sports Complex and inspected a Guard of Honour presented by the Puducherry Armed Police to mark the 64th Republic Day celebrations in the union territory.

This was followed by march-past by various contigents which included police, home guards, ex-service men, students, scouts and guides. Tableaux dipicting the achievements of various departments of the territorial administration were also presented. Cultural programmes were also organised on the occasion.

In the Republic Day celebrations held at the Pondicherry Central University here, Vice-Chancellor J A K Tareen hoisted the national flag. Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor appealed to the students, staff and faculty members not to yield to the ill intentioned divisive forces outside and within the country, who were trying to weaken the unity and progress of our great nation. He asked them to be united and make the country one of the super powers of the world. He also mentioned that all the staff and students should make a sincere effort to make Pondicherry University enter the QRS World University ranking soon.

The Vice-Chancellor wore the NCC lieutenant colonel (The lieutenant colonel status was conferred on Prof J A K Tareen earlier by the NCC) uniform on the occasion. Prof M Ramadass, Director of Studies, Prof S Balakrishnan, Director, Dr J Sampath, Registrar also attended the function. Large number of faculty members, Officers, staff and students also attended the function, according to a university release.

- Agencies