Date:15/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011553380300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Farmers honoured

Staff Reporter

PUDUKOTTAI: A group of farmers, harvesting paddy, got a surprise invitation last week to participate in a programme seeking to honour them as part of ‘Farmers’ Day’ celebration, organised under the auspices of Thilagavathiar Adheenam, near here, on Sunday.

The farmers were honoured with a shawl. They spoke on the hard labour involved in produce foodgrains.

“We selected the farmers at random by visiting a number of villages in and around Vadavaalam, Gundupatti, Chettiapatti and Viraadipatti,” said Sri Dayananda Chandrasekaran of the Adheenam.

In a few cases, the farmers were reluctant. However, they were fully convinced of the novel concept of the Adheenam to celebrate the Pongal festival with a difference.

Sri Chandrasekaran said the celebration would hereafter be an annual feature at the Adheenam.

‘Overwhelmed’

In all, eight farmers were honoured including K. Meiyar, M. Sevugan and R. Rathinam. In their acceptance address, they said they were overwhelmed by the honour bestowed on them by the Adheenam.

A good number of farmers and people from various walks of life participated in the function.