The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Karunanidhi, a people's Chief Minister, says Barnala

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 12, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Karunanidhi, a people's Chief Minister, says Barnala

S. Vydhianathan

Governor lauds him for novel schemes he enunciated for poor

HISTORIC DAY: Governor Surjit Singh Barnala addressing the Assembly on the occasion of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's completion of 50 years as a legislator, in Chennai on Friday. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: The Assembly on Friday felicitated Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on his completion of 50 years as a legislator with Governor Surjit Singh Barnala describing him as a "people's Chief Minister and role model to the members of the legislature."

Addressing the function, Mr. Barnala said novel schemes such as restoration of vision, beggars' rehabilitation programme, slum clearance board, marriage assistance scheme, samathuvapuram, uzhavarsandai, distribution of waste land to the landless and rice at Rs 2 kg to all spoke volumes of Mr. Karunanidhi's dedicated service and concern for the poor and the downtrodden.

He had a deep sense of social reform and gave legal shape to various social reforms enunciated by E.V.R.

Even during difficult times, the Governor said, Mr. Karunanidhi stood firm and had undergone trials and tribulations for the cause of Tamils and Tamil Nadu. With a high sense of responsibility and everlasting loyalty to Tamil Nadu and Tamils, he brought name and fame to the State. To make Tamil Nadu the best in the country, he had put his heart and soul in his work and brought in new industries, creating new avenues for employment and economic progress.

Through his sharp intellect, he had thrown light on several complicated issues and made easy solutions possible. It was, indeed, remarkable for a person to be a Chief Minister of the State for five terms and to win every election he had contested.

"Memorable day"

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Karunanidhi thanked the Governor and the members for felicitating him on this day, which was a "memorable day" for him.

Mr. Karunanidhi recollected his close association with the doyens of the legislature such as C.N. Annadurai, K. Kamaraj, C. Subramaniam and M. Bhakthavatchalam. He said though his mentor Anna was not alive today, he found solace in the company of the existing legislators. He appealed to them to work together for the development of the State.

Mr. Barnala presented a shawl and a memento, a replica of Fort St. George, to the Chief Minister. Leader of the House K. Anbazhagan greeted the Governor with a shawl and presented him a memento.

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