PUDUCHERRY: The founder-president of the Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi, Jose Charles Martin, on Saturday said the party aims to transform Puducherry into a model region like Singapore within 20 years.
He was addressing a conference titled ‘Thaimozhi Magathuvam’, organised by the party in Puducherry on Saturday evening to mark International Mother Language Day.
Presiding over the event, Martin said the conference was intended to underline the importance of the mother tongue. “One’s mother tongue is a matter of pride, and every language deserves respect,” he said.
He said the Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallava rulers had safeguarded the identity and traditions of Tamil, and alleged that Indian languages were suppressed during British rule. “Many of our forefathers sacrificed their lives to protect our language. This conference is also being held in remembrance of them,” he said.
Martin alleged that the DMK and the INC were playing a dual role on the language issue and referred to developments in Sri Lanka in this context.
He said the party regards Thiruvalluvar, Subramania Bharati, Bharathidasan, Subhas Chandra Bose, K Kamaraj, APJ Abdul Kalam, Anjalai Ammal, Velu Nachiyar, V Subbiah, John Pennycuick and M Singaravelar as its ideological leaders.
Outlining the party’s vision, Martin said Puducherry would be developed on a par with Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong, with improvements in education, employment, livelihood and information technology.
“Even after many years of Independence, there is no round-the-clock supply of clean drinking water. We must ensure 24-hour potable water supply,” he said.
He said the idea of forming the party stemmed from his decision not to settle abroad. “I questioned why we should migrate when we can develop our own region. That thought led to the formation of the Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi,” he said, adding that phased reform plans had been prepared.
He said the party would implement people-oriented schemes if it won the forthcoming elections and formed the government.
During the conference, Padma Shri awardees were honoured and a book titled ‘Thaai Mozhi Potrudum’ was released.