REMINISCENCES: Watched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi releases a Tamil version of the book "From the portals of a prison" authored by Vaiko (extreme left), general secretary, Marumalarchi DMK, at a function in Chennai on Saturday. Industrialist M.A.M. Ramaswamy receives the first copy of the book. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the time had come to "once again regain the glory of Tamil Nadu and take this State forward."

Expressing confidence that leaders such as Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko and others would take the State forward, he said he was glad that Tamil Nadu had made rapid strides in education, health care and industrial development. The Centre was implementing many schemes for the State, including Mr. Vaiko's dream project, the Sethusamudram project.

Describing Mr. Vaiko as a man of the masses, the Prime Minister said Tamil Nadu was fortunate to have "such dedicated, educated, socially conscious and committed leaders." Referring to From the portals of a prison, the English translation of Mr. Vaiko's book which was released at a function here, Dr. Singh said it exhibited the breadth of his personal experience and scholarship. "Vaiko has used the prison as a stepping stone, not as a boulder in his way, to rise once again as a leader of his people. This is because he is not a weak man, but a man of great emotional and intellectual strength. The nation is happy that Vaikoji is today out of prison and is able to participate in the political life of Tamil Nadu and our country as a free man," the Prime Minister said.

Dr. Singh said the United Progressive Alliance Government had fulfilled its promise of repealing POTA and this was a victory for Mr. Vaiko. "Vaiko had opposed POTA even when he was with the NDA". He had the courage of his convictions. "I salute him for having taken a stand, a correct stand. Yet, ironically, it was he who was arrested under POTA," the Prime Minister said.

Dr. Singh handed over to N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, a copy of Mr. Vaiko's book. It is a compilation of 60 letters Mr.Vaiko wrote when he was in prison, on various issues confronting the country, the State and his own party. Mr.Vaiko was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for a speech he made at Tirumangalam near Madurai and incarcerated for 19 months in the Vellore Central prison.

Meets Vaiko's mother

After the meeting, the Prime Minister brushed aside security considerations and met Mr.Vaiko's 90-year-old mother, who was seated among the audience.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi handed over the first copy of Mr. Vaiko's book in Tamil, Sirayil Virindha Madalgal, to industrialist M.A.M. Ramasamy. Mr. Karunanidhi said the people of the State got such a rare book only because Mr. Vaiko was forced to be in prison. Amid peals of laughter, he said he wanted to thank those responsible for this. Mr.Vaiko had the habit of writing letters to him, he said and read out parts of a letter Mr. Vaiko wrote from London in 1974. Mr. Karunanidhi said the bonds between them were strong and not confined to the stage.

Mr. Ram read out a message of wishes from the veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, Harkishan Singh Surjeet, who was initially slated to receive the first copy of the English version of the book. Mr. Surjeet's health did not permit him to undertake a long travel.

Mr. Ram said the book spoke of the 577 days Mr. Vaiko spent in prison "eloquently, movingly and without any trace of self-pity or sympathising with oneself." Everyone knew that Mr. Vaiko accepted the incarceration "sportingly, with grace, equipoise and courage" and "turned down all extra comforts."

Tamil Nadu Congress president G.K.Vasan and Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss were among those who highlighted various aspects of the book. The southern rivers inter-linking project should be taken up next, Dr. Ramadoss said.

Communist Party of India general secretary D. Raja said the Left parties opposed POTA from the time it was thought of.

MDMK presidium chairman L. Ganesan, treasurer M. Kannappan, deputy general secretary Gingee N. Ramachandran, and K.M. Kader Mohideen, MP, were among those who spoke on the various aspects of the book.

Mr. Vaiko described his incarceration as an attempt to obliterate the people's right to freedom of expression and said the letters were a "humble attempt at evaluating the immortal achievements" of heroes of the past.

Mr. Vaiko requested the Prime Minister to implement inter-linking of southern rivers. "Let at least our future generations live with greater prosperity and plenty," he said.

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