Mysuru: With Republic Day celebration (Jan.26) just a week away, Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G. Sankar, chaired a preparatory meeting at his office here on Saturday.

Addressing the meeting, Sankar said that the celebration will take place at Bannimantap Torchlight Parade Ground on Jan.26, with District Minister V. Somanna hoisting the  Tricolour at 9 am.

The event will feature cultural programmes, which will also be held at the stage programme to take place at Kalamandira on Hunsur Road at 5 pm, he said and added that a Sub-Committee will be constituted to work out the modalities of the programme.

Pointing out that use of plastic flags for the celebration has been banned, he asked the people to use only cloth flags.

The DC directed the officials to issue a circular to all schools, colleges and other educational institutions to comply with the ban on plastic flags. 

He also instructed the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) to carry out checks on shops for ensuring that plastic flags are not sold.

Asking the staff of all Departments to hoist the National Flag at their respective office on the morning of Jan.26 and then arrive at Bannimantap Parade Grounds, Abhiram Sankar said that rehearsals will be held on two days prior to the Republic Day celebration. 

He directed the concerned authorities to make sure of supply of drinking water and for stationing mobile toilets and Ambulances at the venue.

Additional DC B.R. Poornima, MUDA Commissioner P.S. Kantharaju, Kannada & Culture Assistant Director H. Channappa, Additional SP P.V. Sneha, ZP Deputy Secretary Prem Kumar and other officials were present.