CM inaugurates language martyrs' memorial

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JAN.25. Despite his ill-health needing three to four days complete rest, the Chief Minister, Mr.M.Karunanidhi, today kept his date with the martyrs of the anti-Hindi agitation in the State.

Mr.Karunanidhi, unable to attend the Assembly in the last four days, managed to get his personal physician's nod to inaugurate the 'Mozhippor Thyagigal Manimandapam' (a picture gallery) here this evening, in honour of those who had laid down their lives for Tamil and strove to develop the language.

At a brief function at the 'Gandhi Mandapm' complex in Guindy, Mr.Karunanidhi cut the ribbon, throwing open the Rs.33 lakhs memorial. He then went around the gallery which now houses the photographs of 220 'language martyrs' district-wise, including the Dravidian movement's late leaders Periyar and Annadurai.

There were no speeches. All that Mr.Karunanidhi, in a cheerful mood, advised to the officials was to ensure that nobody who had died fighting hindi imposition was left out. ``It is with great difficulty we have managed to get these photographs from the families of the deceased,'' said an official.

Earlier, Mr.Karunanidhi, also unveiled a 30-feet tall pillar with the National emblem, Ashok Chakra on top, near Mahatma Gandhi's statue on the Marina sands here, to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of the Republic Day Celebrations.

Senior Cabinet Ministers, including Messrs.Arcot N.Veeraswamy, Ko.Si.Mani, Veerapandi S.Arumugam and the State Information Minister, Mr.V.Mullaivendan, were among those who accompanied the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, the DK General Secretary, Mr.K.Veeramani, in a message to mark the language martyrs day, said secular forces should be vigilant against attempts by the BJP to bring back 'Sanskrit' through a new education system.

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Section  : Southern States
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