The Ethiraj College for Women celebrated its Founder’s Day on the birth anniversary of V L Ethiraj.
This was the 65th anniversary of the college. Justice Hariparanthaman of the Madras High Court was the chief guest.
Speaking at the event, the judge said that he had initially been reluctant to take part in the celebrations as he wanted to steer clear of partaking in an event which could prospectively involve litigants whose cases he might one day be called upon to judge. He, however, added that after reading the biography of V L Ethiraj and after understanding the ethos of the college, he could not desist from attending the event. Hariparanthaman spoke of the need for the continued education of women in order to usher in a more egalitarian society. He also spoke highly of the founder of the college, and shared several anecdotes involving V L Ethiraj that he had read and heard about, demonstrating Ethiraj’s integrity, honesty as well as his legal and moral acumen.
A M Swaminathan, the chairman of the board of trustees, Ethiraj College for Women, praised the chief guest for his representation of the poor and the working class when he was a practising lawyer.
The chairman also said that the day was celebrated to ‘plug the gaps in the historical record’. The history of the college titled ‘Soaring High at Sixty Five’ and a booklet on the life of V L Ethiraj were released at the function.