The Tamil Nadu government has urged the Centre to issue a commemorative coin and a special postal stamp on the birth centenary of former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran, saying it would be a “fitting tribute” to the Bharat Ratna recipient on the occasion.
Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailed the AIADMK founder as an “inspirational figure” who is remembered for his “magnanimity, generosity, commanding leadership and determination to fight for the legitimate rights of the States”.
“On the occasion of Puratchi Thalaivar [revolutionary leader] Dr. MGR’s birth centenary, it would be a fitting tribute to a great leader, an inspiring icon, who is eternally embedded in the hearts of the people of Tamil Nadu, to issue a commemorative coin and a special postal stamp,” he said.
The letter, written on Thursday, was released by the State government on Friday. The Chief Minister said that issuance of a coin and a special postal stamp would be welcomed and greatly appreciated by all sections of people in Tamil Nadu, elsewhere in the country and across the globe.
“I would be grateful if an expeditious decision is taken and a announcement of the issue of a commemorative coin and a special postal stamp could be made to coincide with the commencement of the birth centenary celebrations” of Ramachandran on January 17, 2017, he said.
Mr. Panneerselvam told Mr. Modi that he has directed the Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan to immediately send required details as per the Centre’s guidelines for issuance of commemorative coin and special postal stamp.
He said Ramachandran was “one of the most illustrious, charismatic and popular Chief Ministers of the State,” remembered for having launched several innovative welfare programmes which, Mr. Panneerselvam said, “have become model schemes implemented throughout the country.”
''Ramachandran laid the foundation for the rapid socio-economic growth of Tamil Nadu in the last three decades. The Government of India honoured Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MGR with the highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, for his unparalleled public service,” he said.
