Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and other leaders paid tributes to former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj on the occasion of his birth anniversary on Tuesday.
Mr. Stalin launched his ‘Ungaludan Stalin’ programme in Chidambaram after paying floral tributes to the late leader.
In his message, Mr. Modi said Kamaraj was at the forefront of India’s freedom struggle and provided invaluable leadership in the formative years of the country’s journey after Independence. “His noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly,” Mr. Modi said in social media posts both in English and Tamil.
Mr. Ravi paid floral tributes to the portrait of the late former Chief Minister during an event in the Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Tuesday. In his message posted by the Raj Bhavan on the social media, the Governor said Kamaraj was a “devout nationalist”, a courageous freedom fighter and a visionary architect of modern Tamil Nadu.
“Today, Tamil Nadu stands among India’s leading states — thanks to his visionary and inclusive leadership. His life and legacy, rooted in simplicity, integrity and humility, continue to inspire and guide us in our collective journey toward an inclusive, equitable and self-reliant Viksit Bharat by 2047,” Mr. Ravi said.
Mr. Stalin in a social media post said that the noon meals programme launched by the late former CM Kamaraj in State-run schools was the base for an education dream that would live for several years. He further sarcastically remarked: “Thankfully, there were no geniuses then who would have said schools should offer only education and if they were restaurants to provide food. So, how beneficial it has been for Tamil Nadu till today!”
In an official event in Chennai, Ministers Anitha R. Radhakrishnan and P.K. Sekarbabu, Chennai Mayor R. Priya, MLAs Dha. Velu and A.M.V. Prabhakara Raja and others paid floral tributes to the statue and portrait of the late leader.
Mr. Palaniswami hailed the late former CM for his hard work in removing the darkness of illiteracy from the State and for having provided food in schools that brought in students to institutions of learning. Late leader Kamaraj was a symbol of administrative efficiency, simplicity and a role model for life dedicated to public service.
Published – July 15, 2025 07:04 pm IST
