CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has inaugurated the renovated Gandhi Mandapam complex at Guindy, housing memorials for many leaders and the Periyar Memorial at Vaikom in Kerala.
Renovated at a cost of `12 crore and `25 lakh respectively, they were inaugurated through the video conferencing at the Secretariat.
The Gandhi Mandapam complex which is located in 18.42 acres in the heart of the city, houses memorials for stalwarts like K Kamaraj, Rajaji, M Bhakthavatsalam and Dalit leader Rettaimalai Seenivasan, memorial for martyrs, golden jubilee pillar for Quit India Movement etc., The lawns, lighting arrangements and other facilities in the complex have been given a new look.
Rationalist leader Periyar E V Ramasamy succeeded in his struggle for securing temple entry rights for the oppressed sections of the society in Vaikom in Kerala in 1924.
The Chief Minister durign her previous tenur in 1994, had opened a memorial for the late social reformer.
A museum on Periyar’s life, compound walls, children’s park, etc., at the memorial have also been renovated.