Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Music and Fine Arts University here will be named after late Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa as a tribute to her, said Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam in observing Jayalalithaa birth anniversary on Sunday.
This exclusive university for music and fine arts was launched to preserve, foster, popularis and promote the traditional system of Indian music, performing arts and fine arts practised in Tamil Nadu.
Both Mr Palaniswami and Mr Panneerselvam paid floral tributes to Jayalalithaa’s statue on her birth anniversary. They cut a 71-kg cake at the AIADMK headquarters here to mark the occasion.
Later, they flagged off a propaganda van aimed at reaching out to people with the “achievements of the AIADMK and the State government”. A compact disc of the party’s propaganda songs, titled “Ammavin Arasu” (Jayalalithaa’s government), was also released.
The distribution of welfare aid, gold rings to newborns and organising medical camps marked the 71st birth anniversary celebrations of late AIADMK supremo by the ruling party across Tamil Nadu.
Mr Panneerselvam and Mr Palaniswami, the coordinator and co-coordinator of the AIADMK, distributed sweets to party members and released a souvenir marking the occasion. The CM also launched a state-wide drive to plant 71 lakh saplings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national chief Amit Shah too hailed the late leader for her services to the people. Mr Modi, whose party has entered into an electoral pact with the ruling AIADMK for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, tweeted: “Tributes to Jayalalithaa Ji on her birth anniversary. Her contribution towards the development of Tamil Nadu will be remembered for generations. A fine administrator and compassionate leader, her welfare measures benefitted countless poor people.”
Remembering the powerful personality, Mr Shah tweeted, “I offer my tributes to Jayalalithaa ji on her birth anniversary. Her passion and commitment to serve the poor and marginalised shaped millions of lives in Tamil Nadu. She will continue to be fondly remembered as Amma for generations.”
Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, described Jayalalithaa as "the most respected and beloved Amma" and someone he respected and "whose radiant smiling face comes before my eyes as I talk to you. She was CM five times and known as iron lady of Tamil Nadu." Mr. Goyal said, her heart was for the poor, farmers, women and less privileged in the society.
