TN polls: A pro-Tamil party worker goes 'green' for campaign

Chennai, Apr 22: Amidst the high decibel poll campaign for May 16 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, a pro-Tamil party candidate believes in subtlety, going about canvassing using a solar-powered amplifier system in Tirunelveli.

55-year-old A Vinayarasu of 'Naam Tamizhar' party is traversing the lanes and bylanes of Tirunelveli constituency on a two-wheeler with his innovative amplifier mounted atop his vehicle, which has been modified to hold the solar panels.

The idea to go in for a solar-powered amplifier system came up after some friends mooted it, he told PTI from Tirulenveli over phone. "It cost about Rs 15,000 which was sponsored by a friend staying abroad," he said.

The benefits of using solar-powered amplifier included no impact on the environment, besides doing away with charging requirements, he said.

Vinayarasu says once recharged by just parking the vehicle directly under the sun, the solar power system would yield energy for four days.

The voice through his amplifier reaches upto 500 feet, Vinayarasu said, adding that he covers upto 70-80 km on his two wheeler, with his party, founded by actor-politician Seeman, sponsoring a car for the last leg of the campaign involving a week.

A staunch Tamil activist and a municipal ward councillor in 2001, Vinayarasu said his two-wheeler registration has been written in Tamil and he is focusing on local problems, including environmental issues.

PTI