Chennai, Apr 14:
Tamil New Year, the first day of the Tamil month ‘Chithirai’, was welcomed with traditional fervour across the state on Sunday.
Tamil-speaking people ushered in the ‘Krodhi’ New Year by visiting places of worship clad in traditional attire.
Special pujas were held across several temples to mark the occasion with devotees queuing up at the famous Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Samayapuram Mariamman Temple near Tiruchirapalli among others in the state.
Leaders cutting across various political parties extended Tamil New Year wishes for people of Tamil Nadu. However, chief minister M K Stalin, sticking to his party principles, extended his greetings on Ambedkar birth anniversary to people of the state.
“The birth anniversary of Ambedkar, who is the symbol of abolition of caste and religious inequalities, is celebrated as Day of Equality (in Tamil Nadu). Let us strive hard to establish an equal society on the lines of Ambedkar,” Stalin said, in a statement. DMK headquarters asked the district units to undertake an equality day pledge on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Ambedkar.
Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami extended wishes and remembered former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Union minister of state for fisheries L Murugan, in his wish said, “On the day of Tamil New Year, let the forces which are against Tamils disappear. Let equality and humanity blossom in the spiritual land of Tamil Nadu.” While Tamil Nadu Congress President K Selvaperunthagai and TMC president G K Vasan extended Tamil New Year wishes. PMK founder S Ramadoss and party president Anbumani Ramadoss, who don’t have the habit of wishing Tamil New Year, extended Chithirai Thirunaal wishes to the people of the state.
MDMK founder Vaiko, in his Chithirai Thirunal wishes said, “This Chithirai comes at the backdrop of Tamil Nadu and the entire India waiting for a change.” Vaiko also extended wishes on Ambedkar birth anniversary.
