The Tamil Nadu government has declared All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) founder and former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran’s (MGR) birth centenary on January 17 as a public holiday for the entire state.
The announcement was made on January 14 by the party Chief Secretary Girija Vaithiyanathan under the Negotiable Instruments Act and asked the private firms to consider January 17 as a holiday for their employees. However, the holiday will be applicable for all State government offices, banks, schools, colleges, local and cooperative boards and all other government institutions.
Party general secretary Sasikala Natrajan had already said that MGR’s birth centenary would be celebrated in an appropriate manner. She will garland MGR’s statue and will participate in the centenary celebrations.
Earlier on January 6, TN chief minister O Pannerselvam had asked the center to issue commemorative coin and special postal stamp for former chief minister MG Ramachandran on his birth centenary.
In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, TN chief minister O Pannerselvam described AIADMK founder as an “inspirational figure” who is known for his “commanding leadership, generosity, and his will to fight for the legitimate rights of the states”.
Super rated actor turned politician MG Ramachandran founded his party AIADMK after a feud with DMK chief M Karunanidhi in 1972. He served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 and 1987.
