Puducherry to celebrate formation day on Nov 1

November 1, Puducherry will celebrate the 58th formation day (De Facto merger day) with Chief Minister N Rangasamy honouring freedom fighters on the occasion. He will also unfurl the National flag on the occasion, an official communication said.

Puducherry and its outlying regions of Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam which were under French rule for more than 250 years became free 'de facto' as a result of referendum held on October 18, 1954 at Kizhoor, a village in Villianoor commune panchayat limits here.

A treaty was signed consequently between the French and Indian governments effecting de facto merger of Puducherry with Indian union on November 1, 1954. The day is being celebrated as the 'formation day of Puducherry.'

The de jure transfer of power from the French was effected on August 16, 1962 in the next phase and Puducherry as a Union Territory came into existence.