The government led by M. Karunanidhi is the only one to ensure the welfare of people belonging to all walks of life, said Deputy Chief Minister M. K. Stalin here on Monday.
Addressing the ‘Mupperum Vizha' of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Mr. Stalin recalled that the party's annual function, which marked its founding day and the birth anniversaries of Periyar and Anna, was originally conducted in Chennai.
He said the triple functions were only organised in Chennai, but later it was decided to conduct the function in the districts every year. In 2004, it was held in Coimbatore, followed by Tirunelveli, Kancheepuram, Erode and Kanyakumari.
Mr. Karunanidhi presented the Periyar Award to Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S. Arumugham; Anna Award to C. Kuppusamy, general secretary, Labour Progressive Front; Pavendar Bharathidasan Award to Rajam John of the State women's wing and Kalaignar Award to G.M. Sha, senior party member, at the function.
The Chief Minister also gave away prizes and certificates to students who had secured first marks in various subjects and cash prizes and certificates to winners of Pavendar Bharathidasan poetry recitation competition.
He handed over cash prizes and certificates to nine autorickshaw drivers in recognition of their honesty.
Tourism Minister N. Suresh Rajan said that only during the DMK regime various welfare and development schemes were implemented for the benefit of the people of Kanyakumari district.
K. Kanimozi, MP, said that by providing reservation in employment for Arunthathiyars the Chief Minister had created a silent revolution. Tamil Nadu was the only land of peace in the country when other States were facing threats from banned outfits.
Union Ministers Dayanidhi Maran and A. Raja, party functionaries and State Ministers participated.
