Award for print journos in MK’s name

State Minister for Information and Publicity MP Saminathan on Tuesday announced an award to be given in the name of former chief minister M Karunanidhi titled ‘Kalaignar Ezhudhukol Virudhu’ to journalists working in print media. The award will carry a cash price of Rs 5 lakh and a certificate of appreciation.

Saminathan also announced a slew of incentives for journalists, including establishment of journalists’ welfare board, increase of solatium from Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund for the family of journalists who die during their work from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, training for journalists and financial aid for students of journalism institutions.

Statue for Kalam in Anna University

The Minister also announced that a statue for renowned scientist and former President APJ Abdul Kalam will be set up in Anna University. The statue of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore would be installed in Queen Mary’s College and that of freedom fighters Veerapandiya Kattabomman and Marudhu brothers at Gandhi Memorial in Guindy.

Similarly, statues of women freedom fighters such as Anjalai Ammal, called by Gandhi as South India’s Jhansi Rani, will be erected in her native town of Cuddalore, statue for first woman MLA and reformer Dr Muthulakshmi Reddi in Pudukkottai and that of revolutionist Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar in Nagapattinam.

A statue for Dravidian stalwart and former finance minister R Nedunchezhian will come up at the government guest house in Chepauk.