The 150th anniversary of the formation of Nilgiris district was celebrated in Udhagamandalam. Nilgiri Documentation Centre (NDC) conducted a candle lighting ceremony at St Stephen’s Church in Ooty on Wednesday. It was during that time in the year 1868 that J W Breeks, the district’s first commissioner assumed office at the Public Offices. However on the date of August 18 Nilgiris was officially separated from Coimbatore 150 years ago. This aprticular area was first under the taluk of Coimbatore district under a tasilder from 1800 to 1868 when Nilgiri Mountains was under the British rule. Breeks was buried at the graveyard located in St stephen Church.In Order to honour him NDC lit up 150 candles in the church in remembrance of all Europeans and Indians. The church pastor Rev Ramesh Babu delivered a prayer remembering the mighty men of Nilgiris including John Sulivan, W G Mclvor, the creator of Ooty Botanical garden and Commissioner Breeks. He also prayed for the continous well being of Nilgirs and its people. Little few took part in the candle light ceremony.