Date:29/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/29/stories/2008092960300700.htm

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Chennai citizens celebrate Corporation’s 320th anniversary

Staff Reporter

Local body staff and icons from various fields felicitated

— Photo: R.Ragu

OCCASION TO REMEMBER: Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin handing over a souvenir on the Chennai Corporation to Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu N. Ram at a function in Chennai on Sunday. Actor Sathyaraj, Mayor M.Subramanian and former Indian cricket team captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth are in the picture.

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation is 320. City’s long-time residents, former and serving Corporation staff, politicians and people from various walks of life gathered at a function here to celebrate the anniversary on Sunday.

They felicitated those who ran the civic body for its achievements and suggested ways to improve the city further. The Corporation was formed on September 29, 1688.

Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin released a souvenir on the history of the Corporation. He said the city’s population had grown from 3.9 lakh in 1871 to 50.17 lakh in 2008. The local body had improved and expanded its services in several ways. From 15 streetlights in 1914, the number had gone up to 1.24 lakh streetlights at present, he said.

He listed the Local Administration Department’s achievements, which included flyovers to reduce traffic congestion, high-mast lamps at important junctions, strengthening of the school education system and formation of four new corporations in the State. He said that the DMK government was instrumental in extending the Mayor’s term from one year to five years for better implementation of schemes. Mr. Stalin said a grievance redress hearing was being organised every week for people to directly approach the Mayor.

A short film on the Corporation’s achievements was screened on the occasion.

The Corporation honoured icons from various fields, ranging from the media to filmdom to social service. Former Chief Secretary T.V. Antony encouraged Chennai residents to take the responsibility of keeping public spaces free of litter.

He urged the Corporation to start a two-bin system, where people could dispose organic waste in one bin and dry, recyclable waste in the other.

N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, commended the importance that the local body gave to public health and school education. He suggested that the Corporation offer free wi-fi access in a few locations such as the Ripon Building campus and parks.

Actor-director Revathy made an appeal to provide easy access for people with disability in government buildings and public places, such as theatres and malls.

Former Indian cricket team captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth congratulated the Corporation for its “three centuries and still batting,” score and Mr. Stalin’s “good innings.”

Actor Sathyaraj, industrialist Nalli Kuppuswami, writer Sivasankari, Exnora International Founder M.B. Nirmal, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Secretary K. Deenabandu and Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni spoke.

Meritorious employees of the Corporation and former Mayors and Deputy Mayors were honoured on the occasion.