She said it was their duty to safeguard the freedom that was hard earned by the freedom fighters. The Chief Minister also exhorted the people of Tamil Nadu to support her in her Government's endeavour to improve the lot of the people of the state.

In her Independence day message to the people of the state, she expressed happiness in greeting them on this day of freedom for which several martyrs had sacrificed their lives.

Ms Jayalalithaa said every citizen of the country was aware of the travails undergone under the erstwhile British rule. So, it was the duty of every citizen to safeguard the country's Independence, the Chief minister said.

She said the Government headed by her has been honoring freedom fighters and the social reformers of our country by building  memorials for them and by erecting their statues across Tamil Nadu.

The Chief Minister also exhorted the people to put aside feelings of caste and religion and to fearlessly strive to protect the hard earned freedom. She appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu to extend their support to the Government headed by her which always aimed at upgrading the lives of the people.