Chennai: Describing India as a “tripod of secularism” Governor K. Rosaiah urged the people to strive to make India a great nation. Conveying his greetings and best wishes to all the citizens on the joyous occasion of our nation’s Independence, the Governor said in his message on the eve of Independence Day,
“Our nation is a tripod of secularism. It is a fusion of diverse tradition. We are interwoven into an inseparable and inviolable bond of brotherhood. Let us on the anniversary of our nation’s independence pledge to strengthen the foundations of mutual understanding and resolve to work with deep dedication in our mission to make India a great nation.”
In her message, Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said, “All of us should work tirelessly for the growth of our motherland.” Such initiative, she said, should be carried out with a spirit of unity as Indians rooting out differences like caste, creed, religion and language. Independence Day is a golden day to reminisce the sacrifices of our freedom fighters. She said the independence won by our freedom fighters should be nurtured and that she has been implementing several schemes for the benefit of freedom fighters and their heirs.
“Honouring the services of freedom fighters for the country, the government headed by me hiked their monthly pension from Rs 10,000 to Rs 11,000 and pension to their heirs from Rs 5,000 to Rs 5,500,” she said.
The special monthly pension to the families of Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Marudhu Brothers, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai and Muthuramalinga Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathi was hiked from Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,000. Also, the medical allowance to the families of freedom fighters were increased from Rs 100 to Rs 500, she added.
On Monday, the CM would unfurl the national Tricolour on the ramparts of the historic Fort St George where the State Secretariat is situated and deliver a special address on the occasion.
In his message, the Union minister of state for road transport, highways and shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan said all sections of the people should join the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in national development.
