Date:15/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/15/stories/2008071554320500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Work for uplift of the poor: Thankgabalu

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K.V. Thankgabalu has appealed to partymen to vow to work for the welfare of the downtrodden on the occasion of the Kamaraj birth anniversary falling on July 15.

In a statement here on Monday, Mr. Thankgabalu said Kamaraj pioneered many welfare schemes for the poor in the country: he made education accessible to the poor and rural people by opening schools in remote villages when he was the Chief Minister. His midday meal scheme is now implemented all over the country. His tireless efforts had resulted in improving the social status of the minorities and the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes.

He was also instrumental in bringing many major industrial units to the State, including the Neyveli Lignite Corporation and the BHEL in Tiruchi. Besides, he opened industrial estates in all district headquarters.

The workers should take the message of Kamaraj throughout the State on his birth anniversary, he said.