CM Stalin Expresses Gratitude to PM Modi for Karunanidhi Centenary Coin Release

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his good wishes and continued support in making the release ceremony of the centenary commemorative coin in memory of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi a success.

In a social media update, CM Stalin said, "I wholeheartedly thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his kind wishes and support for the grand success of Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar Centenary commemorative coin release ceremony.”

In the letter to Chief Minister Stalin, Prime Minister Modi reportedly lauds Karunanidhi saying, "Thiru Karunanidhi ji was a towering figure in Indian politics, literature and society. He was always passionate about the development of Tamil Nadu as well as the nation's progress.”

Modi further said, "This is an important occasion to commemorate the centenary of one of India’s most illustrious sons, Thiru Kalaignar Karunanidhi ji.”

He further went on to note that ideals such as those of leaders like Kalaignar Karunanidhi shall continue in the country till Viksit Bharat is achieved by 2047.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to unveil the commemorative coin for Kalaignar Karunanidhi's centenary celebrations on Sunday in Chennai.

Karunanidhi, the central character of the Dravidian revolution and founder of the DMK, was a man of brilliant imagination as a littérateur and unsurpassed orator. He played an instrumental role in grooming Tamil actor MG Ramachandran into superstardom.

Record holder as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for a long period of 6,863 days, Karunanidhi, besides being Chief Minister ten times, was also president of the DMK on ten occasions. He never lost an election to the Tamil Nadu Assembly in his life; he won 13 continuous elections. Of special mention is his role in the installation of a 133-foot statue of Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar in Kanyakumari.