Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, 9 August presented the President's Colours — the highest honour conferred on a police or armed force — to the Puducherry Police in a formal investiture ceremony held in the Union Territory. The event marks a significant milestone for the force, recognising its distinguished service and operational excellence.

Shah's Arrival and Security Arrangements

Shah arrived in Puducherry on Saturday night after a multi-stop visit that took him through Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. In anticipation of the ceremony, security across the Union Territory was substantially reinforced. More than 1,000 personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Puducherry Police were deployed at strategic locations, with vehicle checks intensified along the UT's borders and within the city.

Traffic along Shah's route from the Gorimedu border to Raj Nivas was regulated, and additional diversions were introduced on Sunday on roads linking Raj Nivas with Gorimedu and Puducherry airport. Authorities also imposed a blanket ban on drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other flying devices for the duration of the visit.

Official Reception at Raj Nivas

On his arrival in Puducherry, Shah was received by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, Acting Speaker Anbazhagan, cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who welcomed him with shawls and bouquets.

Temple Visits in Tiruvannamalai

Before reaching Puducherry, Shah had arrived in Chennai from Maharashtra by air, then departed by helicopter at around 4.15 pm, landing in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, at approximately 5.20 pm. Though his original itinerary listed the Ramana Maharshi Ashram as the first stop, the programme was subsequently revised. Shah proceeded by car from the helipad at around 5.30 pm to the historic Arunachaleswarar Temple, where temple priests accorded him a traditional reception.

The Home Minister offered prayers and participated in the evening rituals, including ceremonies associated with Lord Arunachaleswarar and Goddess Unnamulai Amman, and also worshipped Lord Vinayaka before receiving prasadam from temple authorities. He subsequently visited the Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram, with BJP workers and supporters lining parts of the route to welcome him.

Significance of the President's Colours

The President's Colours is the most prestigious institutional honour awarded to a military regiment or police force in India, recognising exceptional service to the nation. Its conferment on the Puducherry Police underscores the force's contribution to maintaining law and order in one of India's smallest but strategically significant Union Territories. The ceremony adds Puducherry to the list of state and UT police forces that have received this distinction.

With the ceremony concluded, Shah is expected to continue his scheduled engagements, and the Puducherry Police will formally carry the Colours as a symbol of institutional honour going forward.