Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman turned nostalgic during the ‘meet and greet’ program here on Friday, the last in her hectic itinerary, organised by the Tiruchi Citizens Forum.
Addressing an audience from all walks of life: businessmen, traders, industrialists, doctors, chartered accountants, educationists, jewellers, lawyers, builders, civil society and ex-servicemen, the Defence Minister recounted the confidence she had gained by honing debating skills during her student days at the Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College.
The skills developed then, she said, had stood her in good stead to become the spokesperson of BJP, while personally thanking teachers. The Defence Minister recalled the number of town bus she used to board to go to the college.
And, she had special words of gratitude to Alagammal, who had worked in her home. An elated Algammal looked on as the Minister described the care with which the former had almost raised her.
Representatives of the Forum presented her a painting of the Rockfort made in 1944. The interaction also encompassed a milestone for the industry sector in Tiruchi region.
Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman launched an important industry cluster titled KAVERI Federation to signify growing opportunities in Defence, aerospace, shipbuilding, railway and engineering industries.
S. Ashok Sundaresan, president, BHELSIA, handed over to the Defence Minister a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of the Sec 8 company.
The participants included V. Jayapal of GVN Hospitals; Kamakoti, MD, City Union Bank; Kannan Panchapakesan, Director, SRC College; Girish, President, Trichi branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India; and Murali, proprietor, Mangalam Builders.
