M. Karunanidhi

CHENNAI: The launch of many schemes and a host of programmes will mark the celebration of the 83rd birthday of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Saturday.

Poll promises

The Rs.2 a kg rice scheme, the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Memorial Marriage Assistance scheme for poor women, and the unveiling of the refurbished Kannagi statue on the Marina are among the poll promises that will be implemented on the day.

After paying floral tributes at the memorials of C.N.Annadurai (Marina) and Periyar (Periyar Thidal, Vepery) early in the morning, Mr. Karunanidhi will inaugurate the rice scheme at the Thiru.Vi.Ka Colony Fair Price Shop near Alaiamman temple at Teynampet.

All the farmer's markets will become functional by June 3. The Agriculture Minister had set a May-end deadline. The Samathuvapurams (an attempt at social engineering where people of different castes and religions reside in the same area) are also being refurbished and will be functional any day from now. Mr. Karunanidhi will inaugurate both the refurbished farmer's market and the Samuthuvapuram at Ambattur.

New Delhi visit

On June 4, Mr. Karunanidhi will leave for New Delhi. He will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam on June 5. He describes these meetings as courtesy calls.

The next day, he will meet Planning Commission DeputyChairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia. He will also meet old friends V.P. Singh and Harkishen Singh Surjeet before heading back on June 6.

Hectic schedule

Mr. Karunanidhi's day begins at 4-30 a.m. with a walk at Anna Arivalayam. After that he reads the newspapers. He writes for party organ `Murasoli' and meets visitors before heading for the Secretariat.

After being sworn in, he has made it a point to come to office in the afternoon too. He spends the evenings at the party office and goes home after 8-30 p.m. on days he does not attend meetings. He has attended office even on Sundays.

Asked why he would not rest, Mr.Karunanidhi repeated Anna's words: "I will rest only after I am gone."

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