Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore   

Fervour marks `Samathuva Pongal'

Special Correspondent

Sports and games conducted in Villupuram

CUDDALORE : ``Samathuva Pongal'' was celebrated in the tsunami-affected hamlet Chinnur Pudupettai near here on Monday. Backward Classes Welfare Minister M. R. K. Panneer Selvam, Dalit Panthers of India general secretary Thol Thirumavalavan, and Collector Rajendra Ratnoo participated.

Mr Panneer Selvam said it was a happy occasion because Mr. Thirumavalavan was participating in it after getting the Ambedkar Award. He appreciated the efforts made by the DPI leader to construct 39 permanent houses, each costing of Rs 1.85 lakh, to the tsunami-affected Adi Dravida families through a non-governmental organisation.

Mr. Panneer Selvam said when Collector Rajendra Ratnoo was serving as Chidambaram Sub-Collector, he had done commendable works for the rehabilitation of the tsunami-affected people, and it was apt that the permanent houses were inaugurated in his presence now.

Mr Thirumavalavan said when he met Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Sunday, he requested him to make arrangement for conducting an all-party social justice conference in New Delhi. He had also put forth the demand that the Government must increase the allocation for the group houses from Rs 34,000 to Rs 1 lakh per unit

At Villupuram, Samathuva Pongal was celebrated in the presence of Higher Education Minister K.Ponmudi and Collector Brajendra Navnith.

Sports events such as 50-metre, 100-metre dash, tug-of-war etc. were held.

The highlight of the event was that a cricket match was held. Collector XI lost the match narrowly, by three runs. In the 10-over game, Villupuram XI scored 43 runs, while Collector XI were dismissed for 40 runs.

On the request of the Collector, scribes too participated in the sports.

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Fervour marks `Samathuva Pongal'

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