Puducherry: The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Puducherry, celebrated the 80th Independence Day with patriotic fervour on its campus here on Saturday.

NIT Puducherry Director Dr Makarand Madhao Ghangrekar hoisted the National Flag and addressed faculty members, staff and students.

Paying tributes to freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, Veer Savarkar, V V S Aiyar, Subramanya Bharathi and V O Chidambaram Pillai, Ghangrekar said their vision and perseverance laid the foundation for the freedom enjoyed by the country today.

He highlighted India's transformative journey as the world's largest secular democracy, referring to milestones such as the Green Revolution, advances in healthcare, social welfare initiatives, the National Education Policy and the Make in India initiative aimed at promoting self-reliance.

Ghangrekar said India was emerging as a global power and was well-positioned to become a developed nation in the coming decades.

Calling upon the institute community to strive for excellence, he said NIT Puducherry should emerge as a beacon of knowledge and innovation dedicated to national development.

The celebrations featured a ceremonial parade by students and security personnel, followed by cultural performances by students.

NIT Puducherry Registrar Dr S Sundaravarathan, faculty members, staff and students attended the programme and paid their respects to the nation's freedom fighters.