Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu): Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday inaugurated a knowledge centre here named after rational leader E V Ramasamy, took out a high-energy roadshow amid a massive crowd of supporters braving heavy downpour, but had to cancel a scheduled visit to Thrissur in Kerala by helicopter following inclement weather.
Vijay inaugurated the Periyar Arivulagam and Science Centre established on sprawling seven acres on Dr Nanjappa Road, Gandhipuram, here. Dravidian stalwart Ramasamy is respectfully addressed as “Periyar.”
He unveiled the statue of social reformer Periyar at the complex and inaugurated 89 completed projects at Rs 408.25 crore, laid foundation stones for 144 new projects at 32.32 crore and distributed welfare assistance to 9,343 beneficiaries for 34.72 crore.\
Chief Minister Vijay, who arrived here from Chennai by a special flight, held a roadshow on Avinashi Road to Gandhipuram ahead of the inauguration of the Centre. He traversed about 11.4 km from the Coimbatore International Airport to the venue of the function in Gandhipuram.
Massive crowds of TVK party workers and residents lined up along the Avinashi Road to welcome him. Police personnel have set up heavy barricades across Peelamedu, Avinashi Road, and Gandhipuram. A strict drone-flying ban is actively enforced along the entire stretch.
The chief minister later arrived at the Periyar Arivulagam campus on Dr Nanjappa Road, where he was accorded a warm reception.
He unveiled a huge statue of Periyar on the campus and also inaugurated the Periyar Arivulagam and Science Centre.
Hours before the formal inauguration of the facility, DMK president and former chief minister MK Stalin posted a video on social media and stated that the project was the brainchild of his “Dravidian model government”.
“What does it matter who opens it? Does the pride lie in inaugurating it? The true pride is in planning and creating something unique. That pride belongs to the DMK forever,” Stalin said.
