Date:05/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/05/stories/2007020520780100.htm

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"Convert Rajan bungalow into Gandhi Museum"

Syed Muthahar Saqaf

Tamil Nadu Pradesh Congress Seva Dal's plea to State Government

COMMITTED LOT: Tamil Nadu Pradesh Congress Seva Dal volunteers paying tributes at the Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha Memorial in Tiruchi on Sunday. — Photo: R. Ashok

TIRUCHI: Tamil Nadu Pradesh Congress Seva Dal has urged the State Government to convert Dr. T.S.S. Rajan bungalow, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visit to Tiruchi, into Gandhi Museum.

Dr. Rajan organised the Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha March for which he was imprisoned for 18 months. Freedom fighters, led by Rajaji, who took part in it were his guests. They commenced the march on April 13, 1930, from in front of this bungalow. Later a memorial was erected at the entrance of the bungalow, which houses the office of the Superintendent of Post-Offices.

When the Vedaranyam March was re-enacted in 1988 and again in 2005, both events started from the entrance of this bungalow, the All India Congress Seva Dal Trainer, Thalapathi Manikkam said, while speaking at a meeting organised to celebrate the centenary of the Satyagraha, here on Sunday.

The Government honoured those who took part in the 1988 march with special certificates and the present Government should honour those who took part in the 2005 march, a resolution adopted at the meeting said.

Earlier, they paid floral tributes at the memorial stupi at the bungalow entrance. State Seva Dal additional chief organiser S.T. Manohar and president of Salt Satyagraha Awareness Movement A. Jacob spoke.