Puducherry celebrates 'De-Jure'

Puducherry, Aug 16: The Union Territory of Puducherry today celebrated its 45th Independence day. It was on August 16, 1962, that the 'De-Jure' (legal merger of the Union Territory with the Indian Union) came into effect after the French Parliament ratified the 'Treaty of Cession'.

Puducherry 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 only on August 16, 1962.

A public holiday was declared in the Union Territory 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