Pondicherry celebrates Independence Day today
Pondicherry, Aug 16: The Union Territory of Pondicherry today celebrated its 44th Independence Day.
It was on August 16, 1962 the ''De-Jure'' (legal merger of the Union Territory with India) was effected after the French Parliament ratified the 'treaty of cession.' Pondicherry became free by virtue of a referendum on October 18, 1954. However, the treaty of cession signed between the French and Indian governments was ratified by the French Parliament on August 1962.
A public holiday was declared in the Union Territory today to mark the occasion.
Greeting all the freedom fighters on the occasion, Chief Minister N Rangasamy said they would be honoured at a function here this evening.
UNI
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Story first published: Wednesday, August 16, 2006, 10:44 [IST]