CHENNAI, FEB 14
Setting the stage for a positive campaign for the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, likely in April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday latched on to Tamil culture and justice for people and backed the aspirations of Sri Lankan Tamils.
Development works that will help all sections of society. Watch from Chennai. https://t.co/b9QNo77Buw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2021
Signalling a united fight against the background of the belligerence of expelled AIADMK leaders TTV Dhinakaran and his aunt VK Sasikala, Modi gestured to Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on the dais to join and lift hands with him.
All smiles, the three leaders quickly interlocked their hands amid applause and the unmistakable political subtext of the event that saw the launch of completed infra projects and laying the foundation for new initiatives was not lost on anyone.
“It is our honour to work towards preserving and celebrating the culture of Tamil Nadu. The culture of Tamil Nadu is popular globally,” said Modi, who had quoted from Tamil texts, including classic ”Thirukkural” several times in the past during different occasions.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had during his recent campaign in Tamil Nadu accused the BJP and Modi of showing ”no respect” to Tamil culture. While AIADMK and BJP have already announced that they would fight the assembly elections together, Sasikala’s camp, steered by Dhinakaran, have been staking claim to the party and harping on its retrieval.
Inaugurates slew of water projects to help farmers
Quoting verses of Tamil poet of yore, ”Avvaiyar”, Modi said it was also an inspiration to the ”Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-reliant India) goals.
“வரப்புயர நீர் உயரும்
நீர் உயர நெல் உயரும்
நெல் உயரக் குடி உயரும்
குடி உயரக் கோல் உயரும்”என்று ஒளவையார் பாடலை மேற்கோள் காட்டினார் பிரதமர் திரு. @narendramodi#TNWelcomesModi pic.twitter.com/p5pe5o63SK
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) February 14, 2021
The popular lines underscore that water is the basic element that could lead to the nation’s prosperity.
An interesting project that will further effective usage of water resources in Tamil Nadu. It will especially benefit our farmers… pic.twitter.com/rylE53wsLb
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2021
Stressing water conservation, the PM urged the people to do work towards that goal and underlined that it was not only a national issue, but also had global implications. “Always remember the mantra of per drop more crop, this will help future generations.”
Laying the foundation stone for modernisation of 636 kilometres long Grand Anicut Canal System in Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery delta region, he said the Anicut “is a living testimony to our glorious past.” The plan would have a big impact and improve irrigation facilities for 2.27 lakh acres in the delta region and Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts shall gain specially, he said.
“I want to appreciate the farmers of Tamil Nadu for record food grain production and good use of water resources.”
Modi plays language card well
Tamil as the oldest language in the world, he quoted nationalist Tamil poet Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathi’s famous lines that stressed manufacturing domestically.
“ஆயுதம் செய் வோம் நல்ல காகிதம் செய்வோம்
ஆலைகள் வைப்போம் கல்விச் சாலைகள் வைப்போம்
ஒயுதல்செய் யோம்தலை சாயுதல் செய்யோம்
உண்மைகள்சொல் வோம்பல வண்மைகள் செய்வோம் “– என்று பாரதி பாடலை மேற்கோள் காட்டினார் பிரதமர் திரு. @narendramodi#TNWelcomesModi pic.twitter.com/f5S55wbZCY
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) February 14, 2021
Modi said the nation was inspired by the vision of the freedom fighter and has undertaken a massive effort to become self-reliant in the defence sector. One of the two defence corridors is in Tamil Nadu and it has already received investment commitments exceeding Rs 8,100 crore, he noted.
Tamil Nadu is emerging as a tank production hub. From Tamil Nadu, the movement towards a modernised and self-reliant defence sector gets momentum. pic.twitter.com/smh3WzsAqT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2021
“Today, I am proud to dedicate to the country one more warrior to protect our frontiers. I am proud to hand over the indigenously designed and manufactured Main Battle Tank Arjun Mark 1A. It also uses indigenous ammunition.”
Tamil Nadu, already a leading automobile manufacturing hub, has now evolved as the ”Tank manufacturing hub” of the nation
“A tank made in Tamil Nadu will be used in our northern borders to keep the nation safe. This showcases India’s united spirit Bharat’s Ekta Darshan.”
Justice, dignity and opportunity for Devendrakula Vellalars
Modi said the Centre has accepted the Devendrakula Vellalar community’s demand to be listed only by their collective, traditional name of ”Devendrakula Vellalar (DVR)” and not by the names of seven sub-sects.
Identifying himself with the community’s aspirations, he said their name ”Devender” rhymed with his name ”Narendra,” adding, “I understand their emotions.” The ruling AIADMK has backed and recommended the move. “Colonial rulers took away their pride and dignity. For decades nothing happened.”
It was beyond the change of name and it was about, “justice, dignity and opportunity,” for them. Praising the community, he said they celebrated harmony, friendship and brotherhood. “Theirs was a civilisational movement. It shows their self-confidence and self-pride, Aatma Gaurav.”
The Puthiya Thamizhagam had for a long time been demanding renaming the seven sects under a single heritage name of DVR and also had wanted to delist the caste from the list of Scheduled Castes.
‘I have been the only Indian PM to visit Jaffna to wipe out tears of Tamils’
Asserting that his government had always taken care of the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils, Modi said, “it is my honour to have been the only Indian PM to visit Jaffna.” Listing several developments and welfare initiatives facilitated by the Centre for Tamils in Lanka, he said the issue of rights of Tamils have also been taken up by India with Sri Lanka.
“We are always committed to ensuring that they live with equality, justice peace and dignity.” The projects he listed include 50,000 houses for displaced Tamils in Northeastern Lanka, 4,000 tenements in plantation areas, a hospital, free ambulance services, and rebuilding the rail network there.
BJP is Meenava Nanban
“I feel happy to share that India has built the Jaffna Cultural Centre which we hope to open soon.” On the travails of Tamil Nadu fishermen, vis-a-vis Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister assured that his government always protected their rightful interests. The Centre has ensured early release, whenever fishermen were apprehended in Sri Lanka, he said. More than 1,600 fishermen have been released during the BJP-led government’s tenure and currently, there is no Indian fisherman in Sri Lankan custody. Also, 313 boats have been released and “we are working for the return of the rest of the boats,” he said.
Earlier, he began and ended his address with ”Vankakkam” and praised Chennai as a city full of energy and enthusiasm and a centre of knowledge and creativity.
