Edappadi K Palaniswami launches MGR centenary fete in Madurai

Madurai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami launched the centenary celebrations of former Chief Minister and AIADMK founder, M G Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR to millions, here on Friday, amid people giving a rousing reception to him.

People showered flowers en route to the venue from the airport, welcomed Edappadi with 'aarati', even as students and others including women visited posed for selfies with the Chief Minister at some of the places on way, reminding people of the old resurgent days of the party under MGR.

As the Chief Minister's convoy left the airport, enthusiastic party cadres gathered on either side of the roads to welcome him, while women showered flowers on his vehicle. When Palaniswami spotted school students greeting him from the road, he immediately got down from the vehicle and wished them all personally before proceeding with his journey.  

Before his convoy reached the venue near Pandi Kovil, Sri Edappadi Palaniswami stopped at seven places to greet the people on the roadsides. At ring road, Palaniswami took selfies with the party cadres. At the venue, he inaugurated a photo exhibition on MGR, where school students who dressed up like MGR greeted the Chief Minister, showed the 'two leaves' symbol.

The rare pictures displayed of MGR  at the exhibition includes he sharing lighter moments with the DMK founder C N Annadurai, Dravidar Kazhagam leader Periyar E V Ramasamy; former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi; and film actors Sivaji Ganesan and Telugu Desam founder, late Sri N T Rama Rao.

Other pictures such as MGR taking oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time on June 30, 1977,  members of his first cabinet; MGR participating fast protest for Sri Lankan Tamils; dining with school children when he introduced the nutritious meal scheme and distributing welfare assistances for weaker sections.  
The exhibition also displayed pictures of former later Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa sharing space with her mentor at a political meeting and a rare picture of MGR closely looking into a computer when was then introduced in Tamil Nadu.

After wishing the drama and folk artistes in the venue, Sri. Edappadi Palaniswami garlanded the MGR statue in the city. The students and party cadres gathered en route wished him well on the occasion. In most of the places, Palaniswami spent few minutes with students posing for selfies.

Work more, talk less, says Edappadi in Indira style

Striking a note similar to the late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday called for more work and less talk, even as urged party cadres to reach out to the people in a bid to strengthen the organization.

Paying glowing tributes to the AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran at the official launch of his centenary celebration here on Friday evening, Palaniswami was not to be carried away by the weight of the Chief Ministerial office and unassumingly pitched for a simple do-message.The State Assembly Speaker, P Dhanapal, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker, Dr M. Thambidurai, and ministers were present on the august occasion, besides the Chief Secretary, Ms Girija Vaidyanathan, Madurai collector, Veeraraghava Rao and deputy collector, Rohini Ramadas.

All the top leaders of AIADMK (Amma faction) who spoke at the function stressed the need for unity in the party and urged the cadre to reach out to the people following the principles of MGR. "What is required is more work less talk," emphasised Palaniswami drawing from Akbar and Birbal moral stories.
Birbal, a minister in the administration of King Akbar, through his wit and subtle humour had narrated that tongue, the important part of human body, should be used only for talking good, the CM pointed out.

Palaniswami said that MGR always urged party cadre to work united and follow tolerance. They should adopt the oratorical skills of Arignar Anna, the charisma of MGR and hard work of 'Amma' to strengthen AIADMK, he said.

Earlier, Thambidurai and Co-operation Minister Sellur K Raju said,"It is our duty to bring back the AIADMK men who had parted way with us," "At a time when the party is facing a crisis, we should protect the 'Two Leaves' symbol to safeguard Tamil race and language," said Dr Thambidurai.As part of centenary celebrations, Mr. Palaniswami also announced special drinking water scheme to bring water from Lower camp near Mullaiperiyar dam to Madurai through a channel to meet the needs of 17 lakh people in Madurai and also named Mattuthavani bus stand here after late MGR.