I-Day gives TN a thoughtful Amma!
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said here on Monday that only economic independence of the people would make the political independence meaningful and strong. Addressing the people of Tamil Nadu after hoisting the national Tricolour at Fort Saint George (the headquarters of Tamil Nadu Government) in Chennai on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Indian Independence, the Chief Minister listed various measures her Government has taken to make the people economically independent and intellectually powerful.
“Tamil Nadu is the State in the Indian Union with the highest student enrolment in the higher education sector. Student enrolment in higher education institutions in Tamil Nadu has increased to 44.8 per cent making us the number one State in this segment. The last one year alone saw the Government of Tamil Nadu opening 62 new colleges,” said the chief minister.
She also declared hike in the pension for freedom fighters as well as their family members depending on them. “The monthly pension for freedom fighters has been increased from `11,000 to `12,000. Special pension given to heirs of freedom fighters has been increased to `6,000 per month from the present `5,000 to `6,000.
Delivering a simple but forceful speech, Jayalalithaa paid glowing tributes to freedom fighters from Tamil Nadu who played major roles in the freedom movement. She waxed eloquence on Vanchinathan, who immortalised himself by committing suicide after shooting to death the then Tirunelvli collector Ashe.
“Please remember that it was Vanchinathan who hoisted the national Tricolour at Sengottai (Tamil for Red Fort, a place in southern Tamil Nadu) much before the national Tricolour was hoisted at Red Fort in New Delhi. “Vanchinathan hoisted the national flag at Sengottai in 1911. He also assassinated Ashe, the then district collector of Tirunelveli in 1911 for setting foot in India,” said Jayalalithaa.
After shooting down Ashe, Vanchinathan, to escape from the marauding policemen, ran towards a railway cabin, locked it from inside and took his own life, said Jayalalithaa.
“The mlechas (untouchables) of England having captured our country, tread over the sanathana dharma of the Hindus and destroy them. Every Indian is trying to drive out the English and get swarajyam and restore sanathana dharma. Our Raman, Sivaji, Krishnan, Guru Govindan, Arjuna ruled our land protecting all dharmas and in this land they are making arrangements to crown George V, a mlecha, and one who eats the flesh of cows. Three thousand Madrasees have taken a vow to kill George V as soon as he lands in our country. In order to make others know our intention, I who am the least in the company, have done this deed this day. This is what everyone in Hindustan should consider it as his duty,” said a suicide note found from Vanchinathan’s body.
Jayalalithaa also reminded the people about sacrifices made by poet Subramania Bharathi, V O Chidambaram Pillai and 15 other leaders in the altar of the freedom struggle