First bus service reaches TN Minister Vanni Arasu's native village since Independence

Ayan Reddiapatti, the native village of Tamil Nadu Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu, received its first government bus service since Independence on Sunday, marking a significant milestone for the residents.

Arasu, who is also the VCK deputy general secretary, shared the development on X, saying the village in Tiruchirapalli district finally got direct public bus connectivity on September 13, as India entered its 81st year after celebrating its 80th Independence Day.

Residents and elders from different communities gathered to welcome the inaugural bus, showering it with flowers and waving flags.

Arasu described the celebrations as a reflection of the village's social harmony, saying people celebrated the arrival of the bus as if they were experiencing "another freedom".

The minister also recalled the personal significance of the development, saying his late parents had often encouraged him to work for the welfare of their native village.

Fulfilling their long-standing wish in their absence and seeing the happiness of the villagers brought him immense solace, he said.

Arasu expressed gratitude on behalf of the residents to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and Transport Minister A Vijay Thamizhan Parthiban for facilitating the introduction of the bus service.

The minister said the long-awaited public transport connectivity would mark an important change for the village, which had remained without a direct government bus service since Independence.