TN renovates memorials of Mahatma Gandhi, Periya

Chennai, Jun 28: Tamil Nadu government has renovated memorials of Mahatma Gandhi here and that of rationalist leader E V Ramasamy popularly known as Periyar located in Kerala, at a cost of over Rs 12 crore.

The memorial for Gandhi, more popularly known as 'Gandhi Mandapam' and also a local landmark at Guindy, is spread over 18.42 acres in the prime location. Renovation of the memorial was taken up on the directives of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and the facelift was given at a cost of Rs 12 crore and the works included setting up of fountains, rain water structures, new electrical lights and pathways besides others, a government release here said.

Similarly, the Periyar memorial at Vaikom in Kerala, set up by the Jayalalithaa government in 1994 was renovated at a cost of Rs 25 lakh. It was established to commemorate the rationalist leader's successful temple-entry movement he had led in 1924 in support of the oppressed classes, the release added. Jayalalithaa inaugurated the two renovated structures from here through video-conferencing yesterday, it added.

PTI