CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday announced that the birth centenary of the late chief minister MG Ramachandran (MGR) would be celebrated grandly across the State. The CM stated that he and his Cabinet colleagues would take part in the celebrations. This was decided at the Cabinet meeting on May 2.
The CM, in a statement, said that on behalf of the State Government functions would be organised throughout the ongoing centenary of the late leader in all district headquarters. The late leader’s words and deeds were always about uplifting the poor. So rallies would be organised in district headquarters explaining the social service by MGR. Exhibitions on the achievements of MGR also would be organised.
Apart from these, welfare assistance would be given to the poor while oratorical competitions would be held for school and college students.
Giving a detailed account of the life of MGR -- from his birth in Sri Lanka in 1917 to his demise in 1987 -- the CM recalled how the late leader rose to great heights by sheer hard work. He also recalled MGR’s political achievements and innovative schemes for the welfare of the people.
“After the demise of Arignar Anna, MGR was elected as the treasurer of DMK. MGR told the then CM M Karunanidhi that honesty, virtue, duty, decorum and discipline which he had been advocating through his films should be practised in the Government too. Following this, a difference of opinion cropped up with Karunanidhi,” the chief minister said and added that despite the DMK government using its full might, it did not succeed in curbing MGR’s increasing popularity.
In honour of the leader
• Rallies at district headquarters to explain the social service by MGR
• Exhibitions on the achievements of the late leader to also
be organised
• Welfare assistance to the poor. Oratorical competitions to be held for students