Coin release, arch inauguration mark MGR’s birth anniversary fete

After paying floral tributes to the statue of MGR at a function organised in Guindy, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam released commemorative coins in the denomination of Rs 100 and Rs 5. Accepting a request by the state government, the Centre last year notified the gazette publication enabling the release of the coins.

The AIADMK government also inaugurated the controversial MGR centenary arch constructed by eating into the pavement in Kamaraj Salai constructed by the Public Works Department. The 66 feet wide and 52 feet tall Dr MGR Centenary Arch off the Marina beach was unveiled without any function. It may be noted a petition is pending against the arch in the Madras High Court complaining that the arch has encroached the pedestrian foot path.

AIADMK leaders Palaniswami and Panneerselvam, along with state Ministers, garlanded the statues of MGR and J Jayalalithaa at the party headquarters. Sweets and freebies were distributed to party cadre, who thronged the AIADMK headquarters. Party cadre also thronged the MGR memorial at Marina beach and there were also visitors to the MGR Ramapuram garden house.

As part of the MGR birth anniversary celebrations, the AIADMK has also organised a public meeting in Poonamalee to be addressed by the Chief Minister on Friday.

AMMK leader and RK Nagar legislator TTV Dhinakaran also paid tributes to the AIADMK founder and chose to campaign across poll-bound Tiruvarur. AMMK functionaries also took turns to distribute clothes and food to the poor.

AIADMK functionaries in Puducherry and neighbouring Karnataka also observed the anniversary of party founder. It may be noted that the three-time chief minister MGR was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1988 by the Union government.