Madurai
Nimirndha nannadai nerkonda parvai, Nilathil yarukkum anjadha neri galum, Thimirndha gna na serukkum iruppadhal, Semmai madhar thirumbuvadhillayam
“Jayalalithaa who ruled the state for more than 15 years lived by the words of Bharathiyar. She followed his ideas on freedom and empowerment of women. The late Chief Minister introduced various schemes to empower women by leaps and bounds in the state,” said Muthumurugan. Right from the Cradle Baby Scheme to save the girl child from infanticide to gold for thali scheme for the women of marriageable age and the maternity benefits to women Jayalalithaa had introduced various successful programmes for women. Her recent announcement of 50 per cent subsidy to women buying scooters too had won her accolades from several quarters, he added. Muthumurugan said, “The beneficiaries of her innovative schemes can emphatically declare in Bharathi’s words ‘Pattangal alavadhum sattangal seivadhum parinir pengal nadatha vandhom.”
Ilasai Maniyan, a researcher on Bharathi’s works, also correlated the poet’s vision to many schemes in vogue announced by late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Bharathiyar was one of the poets who gave utmost importance to education. Jayalalithaa too ensured implementation of various schemes for the school students. To arrest dropouts, she gave bicycles, bags, uniforms and even laptops free to students, said the senior researcher from Ettayapuram. He was quick to add that the late Chief Minister followed the other command of the great poet too.
“Bharathiyar in his ‘Pappa Paatu’ had asked the children to give equal importance to studies and sports. Jayalalithaa too encouraged sports among the youth by providing ample governmental support. She even hiked the daily allowance of the students in the sports hostel to Rs 250 from the meagre Rs 75. She arranged for the supply of protein rich food for the budding athletes,” Maniyan added. Taking a cue from the poet’s words, the researcher said, Jayalalithaa took care of the poor and ensured social equality in the state.
“Bharathiyar had said that if there is no food even for one person, the entire world should be destroyed. Jayalalithaa ensured food for the poorest of poor through the Amma Canteens,” he concluded.
Ettayapuram celebrates its son of soil
The 135th birthday of Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar was celebrated at Ettayapuram on Sunday. Bharathiyar had his initial schooling at Raja School in Ettayapuram where many competitions are being held to celebrate his birthday.
As many as 135 school students dressed as Bharathiyar took part in the birthday celebrations which were held in front of the Ettayapuram Palace. The children rendered songs composed by the poet and took a pledge to read his works and to live by his ideals. They participated in a rally from the palace to the house where he was born. The children also interacted with the tourists who paid a visit to the house and the centenary memorial. Muthumurugan, founder, Bharathiyar Memorial Trust, who had organised the event, said, as Bharathiyar began his career at the Ettayapuram Palace, the function was conducted in front of it.
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android