Date:15/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011558840700.htm

Tamil Nadu

A happy outing for Stalin and his family

Staff Reporter

— Photo: M. Vedhan

FESTIVAL FOR AMITY: Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin with his family members at the Pongal celebration organised by women SHGs at Veppampattu near Tiruvallur on Sunday.

TIRUVALLUR: It was a happy evening outing for the family of Local Administration Minister M.K.Stalin. His grandson, Inban, sitting on his lap, witnessed the cultural events presented by women self-help group members as part of ‘samthuva pongal’ celebrated at Veppampattu, near here, on Sunday.

Mr. Stalin and his family arrived at the venue, abutting the Chennai-Tiruvallur High Road, at 5 p.m. Ms. Durga, wife of Mr. Stalin, inaugurated the event by lighting a make-shift stove with firewood. Later, the family went through more than dozen ‘rangoli’ drawn by SHG members and selected three best works, along with other judges.

“A festival for all”

Thanking the district administration and the locals for giving him and his family an opportunity to celebrate ‘samthuva pongal’ with them, Mr. Stalin said the very purpose of the event was to highlight that ‘Pongal,’ popularly known as ‘Thamizhar Thirunal,’ was beyond boundaries. “It is a festival for all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.”

He also lauded the SHG members who took part in the competitions organised by the district administration and Mahalir Thittam. Collector Rajendrakumar and Sriperumbudur MP M. Krishnasamy participated in the celebrations.