Chennai, Aug 16 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President M K Stalin on Friday thanked the Centre for issuing a coin to commemorate five time CM and DMK Patriarch M Karunanidhi’s birth anniversary.
In a statement here, he said “as the son of Mr Karunanidhi (popularly called as Kalaignar) and as one of you, I express my gratitude to the Union Government of India for issuing a coin bearing his image as another diamond in the crown of fame of our living artist, a beacon of future generations.”
The Rs 100 coin will be released by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at an event to be held in the city on Sunday.
Mr Stalin said it will be a happy and proud moment for all and a tribute to the great artist who is part of our lives.
He said the centenary of the late leader was being celebrated in every district on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government for the architect who built modern Tamil Nadu as the Chief Minister for five times.
Artists, creators, literary organizations, Tamils living abroad , wherever Tamil is heard, wherever there are Tamils, are emotionally celebrating the centenary of the Tamil leader artist.
A memorial with a museum to the soothing music of the waves was set up in memory of Karunanidhi who is resting besides his brother and DMK Stalwart and former CM C N Annadurai on the shores of Bengal, keeping his promise and handing over to him the heart.
He also pointed out building of Multi-speciality hospital, Centenary library in Madurai, Kilambakkam bus terminus near Chennai, named after Mr Karunanidhi to mark his centenary.
Mr Stalin pointed out that on behalf of the Union Government, an event will be held on Sunday evening at Kalaivanar Arangam in the city to honor the legendary leader, who continued to be the voice of state autonomy to strengthen India’s federal ideology, who has been a guide to various political leaders in strengthening Indian democracy, and who has played an important role in electing many presidents and prime ministers.
He also said the only time a condolence resolution was passed in Parliament for the death of a political leader was for Mr Karunanidhi who was not a member of either House of Parliament.
“Kalaignar, in his 95-year long career and 81 years of public life, has made an impact at the National level in terms of political-administrative-art-literature-film industry-journalism”, he added.
