Chennai: MGR commemorative coins released

Chennai: The release of two commemorative coins of Rs 100 and Rs 5 denominations by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami marked the 102nd anniversary of AIADMK founder and former CM MGR in the city on Thursday.

Both the CM and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who presented a picture of unity, released the coins, issued to mark the birth centenary of the late matinee idol-turned politician M. G. Ramachandran, who is popularly known as MGR. The commemorative coins were released at a function held at the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University complex here. The coins bear the image of MGR and contain the inscription ‘DR. M.G. Ramachandran Birth Centenary.’

A 66-feet wide and 52-feet high “Dr MGR Centenary Arch,” constructed on the arterial Kamarajar road, off the famous Marina beach here, was also unveiled to mark the occasion.

The iconic leader who broke away from the DMK in 1972 owing to differences with the then party chief late M. Karunanidhi, had floated the AIADMK. He captured power in 1977 and ruled the State for ten years without a break till his death. Three-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MGR was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1988.

Palaniswami and  Panneerselvam, who are the joint coordinator and coordinator of the AIADMK, were accompanied by their cabinet colleagues and other senior party leaders in garlanding the statues of MGR and late CM J. Jayalalithaa at the party headquarters in the city where hundreds of party cadres also gathered. Sweets were distributed to the party workers on the occasion.

The state government had organised MGR centenary celebrations for a year in all the districts, for a year beginning at Madurai on June 30, 2017. The valedictory was held here on September 30 last year.