TN: National Anthem finds no place in function

Sriperumbudur, Nov 4: A high-profile government function here, involving Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi among other VVIPs, today ended abruptly without the national anthem, leaving the audience puzzled.

The Prime Minister, who was on a two-day visit to the state, laid the foundation stone for the Rs 470-crore Global Automotive Research Centre at Oragadam near here.

Besides Ms Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Union Ministers P Chidambaram, Santosh Mohan Dev, Dayanidhi Maran, T R Baalu, A Raja, G K Vasan and Anbumani Ramadoss and state Ministers participated in the function.

After the dignitaries delivered their speeches and Union Minister of State Kanti Singh proposed the vote of thanks, the compere of the function requested the audience to remain seated till the VVIPs left the auditorium.

Even as the VVIPs looked surprised, Mr Vasan was seen urging the compere to play the national anthem. However, the compere told him it was not in the programme schedule and the dignitaries immediately left the venue.

UNI