Development of Tamil Nadu under DMK rule - from 1 padi rice for Rs.1 to Metro project

DMK is a role model organisation in India in rendering ambitious projects. One such example is the tackling of rice scarcity in Tamil Nadu. During Bhaktavatsalam's tenure as CM, there prevailed an acute rice scarcity which resulted in impoverishment of the common public.

During the 1967 election campaign, Annadurai said, "one padi (1 padi = approximately 1.5 kg) rice is certain and three padi rice is the goal." He also announced an appealing scheme of 3 padi rice for one rupee. Satisfied with the campaign promises, people voted for DMK and Annadurai became CM. After assuming office, he launched the one padi rice for one rupee scheme in Chennai which was later extended to Coimbatore.

When the scheme was subjected to the criticism of other party members particularly Congressmen, Anna in his book Puthiya Varalaru replied, "The scheme will be enforced for a longer period and in a few months, it will be expanded to other parts of Tamil Nadu other than Chennai and Coimbatore."

The subsidised rice scheme launched by Anna served as the foundation for DMK party. Like Anna, Karunanidhi launched an unbelievable scheme in 2006, the free colour TV scheme. Despite all the false rumours about the declaration of scheme being a scam, people of Tamil Nadu voted for DMK because of the trust. Karunanidhi became CM and made the impossible possible.

Immediately after assuming office, Karunanidhi distributed around 30,000 colour TV sets which were considered as a luxury back then. In the due course, another 10 lakh colour TV sets were purchased and distributed. Critics who complained about the financial constraint in the implementation of the scheme now shifted to complaining about making people lethargic by giving freebies.

Critics who complained about the free colour TV scheme, never appreciated Karunanidhi's introduction of the free graduation scheme for women. Because of the scheme, Tamil Nadu became a pioneer state in gender equality. The DMK government under Karunanidhi announced 33% reservation to women in local bodies elections in 1996.

The industrial sector ranked 7th in national level during Kamaraj's reign which was advanced to 3rd rank during DMK's reign which was again not appreciated by critics. Some of the important milestones reached during DMK's reign include construction of houses for Scheduled caste people; nationalisation of bus transport in 1971; construction of Anna flyover at the cost of 49.5 lakhs which recently commemorated golden jubilee; construction of Guindy Kathipara Bridge etc.

From 1996 to 2001, around 292 crores has been spent for the completion of 247 bridges across Tamil Nadu. Most of the flyovers in Chennai were built when Stalin was the Mayor of Chennai. As far as the library was concerned, Connemara was the only one with uniqueness which was built under British rule. In order to overcome this sorry state, Karunanidhi established Anna Centenary library in Chennai and now CM Stalin has established Kalaignar Centenary library in Madurai.

DMK ensured that the celebration of the centenary of a party leader is not just a function but an opportunity to make schemes for the welfare of the people. To make this notion a reality, DMK government under CM Stalin established Kalaignar Multi-specialty hospital in Guindy at the cost of 230 crores within 15 months.

Some of the landmark achievements that happened during DMK's rule include establishment of Chief Secretariat; Valluvar Kottam; Valluvar statue in Kanyakumari; Water desalination plant and Central Institute of Classical Tamil etc.

Social justice and equality serves as the basis for all DMK projects. Sir P.T. Rajan introduced the nutritious meal scheme during the Justice party rule. Egg was added to the scheme by Karunanidhi and after 100 years of Dravidian movement, CM Stalin has now implemented the Breakfast scheme successfully.

Owing to communal riots in southern districts after 1990, Karunanidhi started Periyar Memorial Samathuvapuram in 1997, a pilot project for the establishment of social equality. Other significant steps taken during Karunanidhi's rule include elimination of hand rickshaws, creation of Slum Clearance Board to achieve the goal of slum-free Tamil Nadu, nationalisation of bus transport, proposal for the enactment of Land Reforms Act to reduce land ceiling from 30 acres to 15 acres per person etc.

In 1966, only one Law College was there in Tamil Nadu which was increased to 8 under DMK's rule. Similarly, teacher training colleges were increased from 8 to 645 by 2010. It was during Karunanidhi's rule, 3 Police Commissions were set up in which the first Commission was set up for the eradication of corruption.

Till Congress rule in 1966, Tamil Nadu had only 3 government universities which was increased to 24 under DMK's rule and private universities number increased to 25. Government hospitals in Tamil Nadu also increased from 9 to 17 by 2010 under DMK's rule. BDS and nursing colleges increased to 33 and there was a medical college in every district. All this was possible because of Karunanidhi.

In the Parasakthi movie, Karunanidhi wrote a dialogue which says, "...the job of widows in Tamil Nadu is to make idli and sell" which depicted the sad state of widowed women in Tamil Nadu. Realising the situation, Karunanidhi introduced the Widows Rehabilitation scheme after he came to power. Through the scheme, the government gave Rs.1000 for those widows who remarried. DMK's government also gave free bus passes to widows.

Starting from Idli to Tidel Park and Metro, all the developments were made under DMK's rule. When the Congress government was there in Tamil Nadu, Tamil Thai Vazhthu was never sung, only National Anthem was sung in public forums. It was Karunanidhi who declared the song written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar as the Tamil Thai Vazhthu of Tamil Nadu. The highlight of all is the renaming of the state from Madras to Tamil Nadu owing to the relentless efforts of Annadurai.

All of these are just bits of trailer, the main picture is even bigger.