“Support efforts to install Tiruvalluvar statue in Allahadad, set up Tamil Chair in Harvard”

DMK President Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi has sought Tamil Nadu government’s ‘support’ for efforts to install Tiruvalluvar statue in Allahabad, name a six km stretch on the “West bank” of Yamuna river in Uttar Pradesh as Tiruvalluvar Marg as a tribute to the saint poet and establish Tamil Chair in the prestigious Harvard University.
In a statement on Sept 7, Kalaignar said that at a time when indirect efforts to remove statues already installed by adducing some reason with ulterior motive, that a demand for installing Tiruvalluvar statue at Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. A detailed report about this had been published in ‘The Hindu’ (Tamil) today. In that report it is stated that it was a long pending demand of the people there to name six km stretch on the West bank of Yamuna river as “Tiruvalluvar Marg”, install Tiruvalluvar statue and plant tree saplings along the stretch so that the couplets could be written along with Hindi translation; Kalaignar said.
 Furthermore, the DMK chief quoted one Chandra Mohan Bhargava as saying to the daily that it was the dream and demand of founder and general secretary of Basha Sangh, late Krishna Chand Gowd, to erect a statue for Tiruvalluvar in Allahabad in 1990, but he died due to cancer before his dream got fulfilled. However the efforts to install the statue continued.
 The Sangh had turned down the UP government’s offer to have the statue of the saint poet erected at Hindustan Academy and insisted on having it only at Triveni Sangam, Kalaignar said, urging Tamil Nadu government to take steps in the matter.
Similarly, another issue has been published in this week’s ‘Anandavikatan’ weekly. Vaidehi Herbert, an American, has translated eighteen Sangam Literature books. When a relative of DMK general secretary Prof K. Anbazhagan and serving in US as cardiologist Dr Janakiraman met her and what he could do in his lifetime for Tamil language, Herbert has told him that there was no Chair for Tamil in Harvard University and if one is established it would add glory to Tamil language and people. The two NRI Tamil doctors, Janakiraman and Thirugnanasambandam, had received approval from the Harvard University, the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, to set up a Tamil Chair.
While the total amount needed is $6 million (about Rs.40 crore) which had to be mobilised within two years, the duo had promised to fund $1 million. The Tamil community needs to collect the remaining $5 million. An effort has been made to reach out to the Tamil community.
He said that Harvard has two Chairs for Ukranian spoken by 30 million people and even when there was a Chair for Celtic spoken by 1.5 million and the university has Chairs for Hebrew, Sanskrit among other languages. Therefore, it is necessary to have a Tamil Chair at Harvard as it is the language of over 80 million people across the world, Kalaignar said.
Hence, Kalaignar asked the State government to help and encourage the efforts of the interested persons for installing Tiruvalluvar statue in Allahabad and of Tamil community in the United States to set up a Harvard Tamil Chair. When this government is prepared to spend a huge sum of Rs.100 crore for conducting a meet of investors at a time when the tenure of the regime is about to end, should also indulge in such good works for spreading the greatness of Tamil, Kalaignar urged.

Humanism of Periyar

All the services that Periyar rendered to humanity for seventy five years had taken their origin from his essential humanism. Ramalinga Adikal had expressed his sympathetic essence when he said that whenever he saw a drooped plant, he felt a drooping within. Periyar’s sympathies were by no means of a lesser magnitude.
Periyar’s humanism was by no means lesser in extent than that of either Ramalinga Adigal or Gandhi or other Indian spiritual seers.
His services towards social reforms in Tamil Nadu and the spreading of Communism were but humanitarian missions. Had he not been a great person with a humanistic heart, he would not have had to endure verbal attacks on him.
It is an absolute truth indeed that if he had not been a man of humanism, he would not have had sacrificed great wealth and a life of luxury and indulgence.
Periyar’s humanism was not the humanism of throwing alms at an appeal from a hunger struck beggar.
The humanism raised its voice in the interest of all those who had been kept suppressed throughout the world.
Periyar had such humanism that made him dedicate his entire life to the welfare of the backward classes, most backward classes and the scheduled classes in Tamilnadu and throughout India who had been stamped the sudras by the Aryans.
We should refer to instances wherein his humanism had made him extend a sympathetic help to individuals and societies.
Anna had once remarked that if there was a hole through which the cat could pass, the kitten could as well pass through the same hole.
Similarly there is no necessity to refer to instances of Periyar’s humanistic services to individuals since he had been humanistic towards the whole of the Tamil community . Yet let me take the liberty of referring to a few instances.
When Periyar was young, a battalion of soldiers travelled by train from somewhere in the North to the southem districts. As the train reached Erode junction, they left the train and started attacking the public and the shopkeepers there for some reason. Periyar had then been to the railway station on private business. He prevented the soldiers from attacking the poor people. A few soldiers pulled him into the compartment. He was caught inside the compartment. However, he was brave enough to wriggle out pushing the soldiers off.
A crowd had gathered. The police also arrived. The train left after a little while.
Periyar might have kept himself away from the trouble had he not been bothered about the troubles of others. But he confronted what he considered an unjust act. He was both physically and mentally strong enough for such an upright deed. If Periyar had the strength of will and body while young to rise against the troubles caused to a few, it was but natural that he rose against the cruelties practised in a society as a whole when he became middle aged and thereafter.
Swami Kaivalyam was a friend of Periyar. He was a few years elder to Periyar. He had compared Periyar to the Priest of the gods, Brahaspathy. His description had been very apt indeed.
The abode of the gods had degenerated and Brahaspathy taught atheism to Brahma and changed conditions there. So degenerated was the state of affairs in our country too. People were subject to alien imperialism. They had been exploited.
They had lost their ability to think and their sense of honour. They lacked unity. They were eternally wedded to the disgrace attributed in the name of religion and caste.
They had no control over their own life. They did not understand that their very future had been mortgaged in the name of the scriptures of Manu. Periyar’s labour and speeches were spent on making our people realise their own objectivity and work a way out of superstitions.

Let’s continue self-respect journey without falling prey to conspiracy!

Dear brothers and sisters,
I had written an epistle to you in ‘Murasoli’ on 23.10.2012. All through yesterday I once again read that epistle under the heading ‘Whether water drift by the bang of water?’ because there was a necessity for me to read it.
I sat for lunch when the party’s Principal Secretary Duraimurugan came to meet me after completing Assembly works. His face was not proper and I enquired while eating. ‘The Times of India’ English daily published on the first page a report on the interview given by T.K.S. Elangovan. “Reporters are waiting to ask questions about it. As reporters asked Treasurer M.K. Stalin remaining in the Assembly about it at the secretariat, he sent me to consult Thalaivar”, he said. Immediately a called Organising Secretary R.S. Bharathi, asked his to issue a statement on behalf of the headquarters and laid on the bed. But I couldn’t get sleep. As scheduled I did not go to a wedding reception in the evening. My mind was disturbed. What was the reason? It was then I happened to again take and read the epistle I wrote in 2012. Some portions of that epistle are as follows:-
“I have repeatedly said one thing; pointing out that Thanthai Periyar used to press for it. That if of the three watchword of the DMK ‘duty, dignity and discipline’ only ‘discipline’ is important. Our Perasiriyar only reminded that in Villupuram Mupperum Vizha and spoke in detail. DMK might have been defeated many times in elections and might have won many times. At anytime, we had never been jubilant or felt crest fallen on victory or defeat respectively. But if discipline is disrupted or damaged nobody could save the party! I and Perasiriyar are working without rest since our student days till now. There are none to question if we take rest and do not come to party office. Still we are coming to party office. DMK is not ruling party now. In the elections in 2011, we suffered defeat to the extent of not even emerging as principal opposition. Have I got exhausted due to it? Have I stopped doing party work? Even at this age why should I write daily? Whether I take breakfast or not how many dailies do I read? As you cannot buy and read all of them, after reading all those dailies/journals, I compile all the news that you should know- searching for those that you will have to explain people, reports and criticisms about the ruling dispensation, the observations and strictures made about these rulers in the Supreme Court and High Court and take strain to inform tirelessly.
But the dailies in Tamil Nadu, half-heartedly just for registering and show their independence publish my view in two or three columns. Than the rulers, our journalists are more interested and concerned that if they are published in full and those opinions spread the influence of DMK might increase. But at the same time, if the reports are against the DMK, they come forward to publish them without leaving out even a sentence and giving as much importance as possible, what is the reason? Than the aversion for us, it is their focus to protect the rulers”.
The condition I said in 2012 persists now also. If they get even a ‘crumb’ like report against us the English dailies blow up them to the size of ‘pillar’ and publish them. The spokesman in party headquarters T.K.S. Elangovan is the dear son of Thanjavur T.K. Srinivasan, who was appreciated by us as ‘philosophical scholar’. He is well educated. But if it is press report or interview he is interested. That is why as he liked we appointed him as party’s communications secretary from his earlier assignment as organizing secretary. But for all there is limit which should not be exceeded. Only because ‘The Times of India’ which published the report knew that he has exceeded the brief that they have published it widely on the first and eighth pages. That English daily has published it in a big way the information that has to be released after convening and consulting party’s executive committee very casually said or not by T.K.S. Elangovan. Is it not enough for our media! They cornered all party frontline functionaries. His interview in television. His interview in ‘Malaimalar’. Even after we issued statement in the afternoon itself yesterday disowning that interview as wrong, the prominently published report on the first page in ‘Dinamalar’ daily with the photograph of Elangovan was “Clash breaks out in DMK over alliance bargain! Karunanidhi angry over the interview of Stalin supporter”. Can’t we understand the level of their acrimony for us?  
Similarly, in the name of opinion poll some release reports. Nothing happens because of them. I don’t believe them. In fact, they release it just like buying clash for price. For instant, it is only proper for those who took opinion poll to find out who would get the Chief Minister office- the DMK or ADMK or DMDK. For who is Chief Minister, after releasing the name of Jayalalitha for ADMK, instead of DMK they mentioned two names Karunanidhi and Stalin in the same party and release report of support for each so as to create problem. Did they ask the support for Jayalalitha and Panneerselvam in ADMK? Why should they point two names for DMK alone and assess support? Is the intention of the opinion pollster to create confusion in DMK? That too why they try to create such confusion even before the election is approaching? When we in the DMK are not concerned about who is the Chief Minister why this concern for opinion pollsters? Due to it how much delicacy for Stalin? He is working day and night for the DMK as his breath and why they are causing pain to him like this?
That too some reporters with more concern, learning when the flight taken by my son M.K. Alagiri  expelled from the party, reached Chennai go to the airport itself and if they ask about this opinion poll, why this sudden interest for them? If some dailies publish that interview giving importance, is it because of the interest in him? What is the use in him too due to his anger for his younger brother, praising me? It gives room to opponents. It becomes giving room for those trying to enter in between them and create confusion in the party. If ‘Dinamalar’ daily prominently publish the interview of T.K.S. Elangovan and M.K. Alagiri, do you understand the extent of their animosity for us?
Once, in a public meeting held at Tiruchy after the demise of Anna, Thanthai Periyar spoke. When Periyar categorically said, “As Annadurai said it, Karunanidhi and those in that party frequently say that duty, dignity and discipline should be safeguarded. I will say not only to Karunanidhi but to workers and comrades of the party led by Karunanidhi that you may forget duty, give up fostering dignity but never give up discipline”.
Because, only if discipline is maintained all can together act even without dignity. This is Periyar’s logic. Even slip from duty if we are disciplined none could do anything. Only because we follow the word categorically stated by Periyar that the DMK could not be shaken by anybody. The DMK today stands like banyan tree to the height of skies.
We are conducting this incomparable movement to safeguard the nomenclature of the race ‘Dravidian’- protect ‘race consciousness’- despite the suffering we encounter. Whatever conspiracies deployed by opponents, we are continuing our self-respect journey considering those conspiracies as ‘small waves smashing against rock and falling’, we will continue further!
Affectionately,
M.K.

“Lead all-party delegation to Delhi to pressurize PM”

Noting that just writing letters to the Prime Minister was not enough, DMK President Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi on Sept 6 urged Chief Minister Jayalalitha to lead an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prevail upon him to immediately constitute the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee and get Cauvery water for Tamil Nadu.
In the wake of the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah’s refusal to release Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu, Kalaignar, in a statement said that as usual Chief Minister Jayalalitha has written a letter to the Prime Minister asking him to advise Karnataka government to release the balance of 27.557 tmc ft water as per the final award of the Cauvery Tribunal.
As Karnataka water was not available vide the Tribunal award and the State government failing to demand and obtain it, water was not released from the Mettur reservoir for Kuruvai cultivation on the due date of June 12 this year also and released only on Aug 8.
Even now as rains slowed in Cauvery catchment area water flow to Mettur reservoir continues to come down. The water level at 90.05 ft on Sept 3 came down to 87.15 ft i.e., lowered by 2.90 ft in three days.
According to the president of the coordination committee of all Farmers Association P.R. Pandian, Samba paddy crops directly planted were drying as Cauvery water has not reached Vedaranyam tail end irrigation area and farmers were distressed over inability even to cultivate one season Samba crop.
It is an indescribable sadness that farmers have reached the periphery of dejection with the failure of Kuruvai cultivation in delta districts during the last three years after the ADMK came to power.
In the meanwhile, Karnataka Irrigation Minister M.P. Patil has said that water to be released to Tamil Nadu as per Tribunal award was released without deficit till Wednesday last, TN government has not asked for release this year, but still respecting the award of the Tribunal Karnataka released water. This makes it clear that TN government did not at all demand release of water.
It is sad for the people of TN that the State government did not even place demand to Karnataka for water, the essential need of farmers. Will the problem of farmers get solved by just writing letter to the PM and getting it publicized without demanding it from Karnataka?  
All party leaders of Karnataka have raised voice against releasing water to TN and In Karnataka, the State government assumes responsibility by leading an all-party delegation consisting of leaders, Ministers and MPs to meet the PM and raise unanimous voice the needs of the State but in Tamil Nadu, it is a shame and painful that the ADMK government fails to even convene a meeting of all parties.
In particular, former Karnataka Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and one of the senior leaders of the BJP Jagadish Shettar has said, ‘as there was no sufficient rain in Cauvery catchment area the four dams have not been filled and hence there is scarcity of water. In view of the condition of farmers of both States Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and TN Chief Minister should consult and solve the issue and the TN Chief Minister writing directly to the PM thereby harming friendly relations between the two States has caused dissatisfaction’.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah has told reporters that Karnataka was undergoing severe drought in forty years and the Tribunal award states that the two riparian States should cordially hold talks and resolve in such drought conditions.
Stating that four major reservoirs in Karnataka had storage of 74.23 tmcft on Sept 5, Kalaignar  said the State should depute PWD Minister O Panneerselvam to meet Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and appraise him of the pro-rata distress sharing formula laid out by the tribunal and seriously try to obtain water so as to secure at least the standing samba crop in the delta region of Tamil Nadu.
Kalaignar urged Chief Minister Jayalalitha to urgently lead an all-party delegation, including MPs, and Union Ministers from Tamil Nadu, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and exert pressure on the Centre to release Cauvery water and set up the Cauvery Management Board, and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee without further delay and apprise the severity of Mekadattu dam issue and not be complacent with just writing letters to the PM.

Push for lasting solution to Tamils’ issue in Lanka

Against the backdrop of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to New Delhi on September 14, DMK President Kalaignar M Karunanidhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to push Colombo for a speedy and lasting solution to the Lankan Tamils’ problems.
With Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena expected to visit India a month later, the Centre has an opportunity to get a commitment from Colombo, he said.
In his letter on Sept 8 to the Prime Minister, Kalaignar stated:
“On the eve of the forthcoming visit of Thiru Ranil Wickremesinghe, the newly-elected Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to New Delhi,I am sending this Letter.   According to the Media reports,  the visit of Thiru Ranil, during the middle of this month is going to be followed by the visit of His Excellency, the President of Sri Lanka, Thiru Maithripala Sirisena during the month of October.
You are aware that the D.M.K., of which  I am the President, has been  continuously voicing  its concern right from the year 1956  for finding a  lasting solution to the problems of Eezham Tamils, who are the inhabitants  of the Island - Nation from time immemorial.   Therefore an important duty is cast on me to represent the genuine grievances of Eezham Tamils whenever necessary at the appropriate forum and hence this Letter.
I wish to draw your kind attention to my Letter dated 13-2-2015 addressed to you,  wherein I have stated as follows :
“Thiru Sirisena was able to win the Presidential Elections mainly due to the massive support of the Sri Lankan Tamils.  The Tamils willingly voted for him as they ardently believed that Thiru Sirisena would bring to an end the long-drawn chapter of unconstitutional discrimination and unchecked inhumanity meted out to them in a very crafty and calculated manner by the erstwhile regime of the Island-Nation.   They also earnestly relied on the promises made to them by Thiru Sirisena and his electoral alliance.   They were convinced beyond doubt that the Army posted in the Tamil Areas would be withdrawn, the lands and houses forcibly occupied by the Army and the Sinhalese would be returned to the Tamils, they would not be treated as Second Class Citizens anymore and that all necessary steps would be taken for their peaceful living ensuring dignity and self-respect and that the 13th Amendment, which has been put on hold for nearly three decades, would be implemented in letter and spirit.”
Though more than six months have passed  since Thiru Sirisena  took over as the President of Sri Lanka,  there is very little or nil progress on the promises Thiru Sirisena had made to the Tamils.   This is not the first time that the Sri Lankan Tamils have been disappointed  over the non-fulfilment  of promises made to them by the Sinhala Leaders.   Thiru Maravanpulavu K. Sachidhanandan, Central Committee Member of the Sri  Lanka Tamilarasu Party,  has written about  fourteen agreements with the Tamils,  which have not been honoured and in fact which have been grossly violated  by the Sinhalese in the last 100 years.
Thiru Ranil Wickremesinghe, after having been sworn-in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, for the fourth time,  while addressing the Press in Colombo has said that “After the final War with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eezham was over in 2009,  only now a congenial atmosphere has evolved to  politically  resolve the problem of Sri Lankan Tamils.”   A day after he assumed office,  Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has given an interview (to Thiru Ram, former Editor-in-Chief of “The Hindu”)  published on 24-8-2015, in which he has spoken  on a wide range of issues including (a) How to make  the Provincial Councils really work (b) Powers exercised  by both the Centre and the Provinces and concurrent powers (c) The real issue in the North and the East being resettlement of people who got evicted from their land (d) The Provincial  Council  must have a say in the Law and Order situation (e) The formula which was accepted by India also regarding the 13th amendment  and  (f) Domestic Investigation within the four corners of the Sri Lankan Constitution.
When all the promises of Thiru Ranil relating to the Tamils in Sri Lanka are fulfilled,  it will make a good beginning  in arriving at  a lasting solution to the innumerable problems  afflicting  the Tamils for several decades.   The diaspora Tamils have not forgotten the fact that Thiru Ranil Wickreme Singhe, as Prime Minister in 2002,  after talks with the L.T.T.E.,  in Oslo of Norway had agreed  for two States in the United Sri Lanka  -  one for the  Sinhalese and the other for the  Tamils.
The D.M.K. has been advocating a “Referendum” to be conducted among the Sri Lankan Tamils living all over the world,  under the supervision  of the UNO,  to enable them to choose a political solution, they desire.   We firmly believe that this political solution of the choice of the Tamils will alone put an end once for all to the problems of Sri Lankan Tamils.
You are aware of the unending sufferings of the Tamil Nadu Fishermen going out for fishing in the Sea at the hands of the Sri Lankan Navy and Sinhala Fishermen.   I will be grateful if you could kindly discuss with the Sri Lankan President and the Prime Minister for arriving at a lasting solution very early to the problems of the Tamil Nadu Fishermen.
It is widely reported in the Press that the USA is going to bring in a totally revised   resolution in the United Nations Human Rights Council   suggesting domestic enquiry in Sri Lanka into the War Crimes and Human Rights Violations, contrary to their earlier stand for an independent  international  Enquiry, when Thiru Mahinda Rajapaksa was the President of Sri Lanka.    It is believed that Thiru Ranil has been mobilising  support for the American Resolution and he may like India to support the  revised  resolution of America.  We and the diaspora Tamils  are opposed to this  sinister move.   History will not forgive if India yields to this crafty  design.  
I appeal to you to have all these dimensions in your mind, objectively analyse  the latest developments  in Sri Lanka and take all necessary  steps to fulfil  the long-felt  aspirations of the Sri Lankan Tamils.   We, the people of Tamil Nadu  and diaspora Tamils will be grateful to you for a very sympathetic and positive approach  to wipe out the disgrace and  dishonour suffered by the Tamils of Sri Lanka, a great and distinct  National Race in the History of the World.   We, very earnestly, expect encouraging results from your talks with the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka”.

GIM- Isn’t it manipulation in view of election?

Dear brothers and sisters,
There is a saying in villages “Leaving the rope and holding the tail (of bull)”. Similarly having slept over for four years and now suddenly waking up announcing Global Investor Meet to attract investments, they are staging a drama. All dailies which reported the conference did not fail to note the prancing of ADMK cadre, the traffic congestion all over the city and the resenting murmurs of the public. Some years back, the ADMK rulers made huge publicity of having invited investors, signed MoUs for several hundred crores and creating jobs for several hundred persons. But neither investments came not employment opportunities were created. When the MoUs entered into then have not been realized constructively, will there be any value for the MoUs they enter into, on their way out? Hence even the investors who have come now have informed very carefully that they have planned to invest so many crores in the next three and five years. In spite of the publicity that investors from various countries have descended for the present GIM, no foreign investor seems to have addressed during the inaugural. I will briefly narrate what these ADMK rulers did in the last four and a half years for industrial investment and what was the result.
In the budget presented in the Assembly by Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam on 13.2.2014 it was stated that “this government would conduct a GIM in the coming October month at Chennai to encourage industrial potential and infrastructure in our State, for which the Budget provides Rs.100 crore”. This is an announcement read out last year! But as announced by the Minister the investor meet was not held in October last. This is the fate of the announcement made in the budget itself!
When asked about it, they made a gigantic announcement that on a single day in 2012 MoUs were signed with 12 firms through which 36,855 would get jobs and industries with investment of Rs. 20,925 crore would be started, and again announced signing of MoUs with 16 firms for Rs. 5,081 crores; what happened to those announcements? Did the assured investment come? After that, forgetting the announcements already made, the informed anew that MoUs worth total investment of Rs. 26,625 crore was signed following which investment of Rs.10,660 crore was made creating additional employment opportunities for 10,022 persons.  
Later, Panneersevam announced that the GIM would be conducted in May 2015. That was also not held. Speaking at Coimbatore, Chief Minister Jayalalitha said that in her three year regime MoUs with 33 Indian companies and MNCs had been signed for investment of Rs. 31,706 crore. MoUs can be entered into with many firms but only if they translated into starting of industrial units that the State will be benefitted. But what is the real situation? Not me but what the common weekly ‘Ananda Vikatan’ wrote?
“It is said that the expansion of Hyundai car factory function in Tamil Nadu will be set up in Rajasthan and Gujarat. ‘Isuzu’ firm has gone to Andhra. The Rs.1000 crore expansion unit of ‘Saint Gobain’ glass manufacturers functioning in Chennai has gone to Rajasthan. Tamil Nadu-based Ramco Cements has obtained approval of Andhra Pradesh to set up its 2.5 million ton cement factory in Ongole. The Industries Ministry has not focused even on retaining these units. According to statistics industrial investment in Tamil Nadu has come down by about Rs. 50,000 crores. As there are several obstacles in industrial sector, multi-national/domestic companies are hesitant to invest in Tamil Nadu. The Industries Ministry is latent without capacity to even to conduct a meet to attract investors toward TN. Industrialists could not even meet the Industries Minister. As there is no industry-friendly atmosphere in TN with power cut, administrative difficulties and increasing costs, many multi-national companies are focusing to shift their units to other States”, this is the certificate issued by ‘Ananda Vikatan’ to the Industries department of Jayalalitha regime.
‘Faxconn’ industry functioning in TN has entered into an agreement for Rs.32,000 crore to shift to Maharashtra. At least the industries running here were retained? The Tuticorin Spic industry already running in TN and Madras Fertilizers Ltd are on the verge of closure. Tamil Nadu Petro-products Ltd, Tiruchy Distilleries and Tuticorin Alkaline Chemicals Ltd,are already closed. When production in the Nagarjuna Petro Chemical Industrial Complex, Cuddalore started three years back with several thousand crore investment will start is not known. Spinning mills are sickening due to many problems; cracker manufacturing industry is crushing due to indirect encroachment; and handloom and power loom sector is shrinking.  The situation obtaining now is like losing what was in store in the thought of the seeking something illusionary.
In the meet prelude to the GIM proposed to be held in May last on 13.2.2015 huge publicity was made that MoUs with 7 firms for Rs.18,000 crore would be signed but is it not a shame that the prelude meet did not take place?
The State’s Industries Minister openly said that the Andhra Pradesh government invited industries offering land at cheaper price and tax concessions. Similarly whenever the AP Chief Minister visited Chennai he invited our industrialists and make offers. This made clear the position of TN. These rulers should feel ashamed if the CMs of other States come here, convene meetings and make direct appeal to industrial investors.
We did not imaginarily say that the Karnataka Chief Minister arranged a meeting at Coimbatore and invited industrial investors. ‘Dinamalar’ is not a DMK daily but it is highly critical of DMK. The heading of a report in that daily on January 22 last was “TN pushing, Karnataka attracting-investment of Rs 12,000 crore lost”.
In the meanwhile there was a report that Panneerselvam held talks with UK Minister for Commerce on companies of England investing in TN and with the Governor of South Carolina State of the USA for more investments in TN. We don’t know what happened to it.
It was announced that the GIM would be held on May 23 and 24 and there were reports that officials went to other countries to conduct road shows. The Industries Minister said that number of foreign investors would participate in the GIM in Chennai and there were chances of getting investment of over Rs. One lakh crore. In a few days after the announcement the government announced further postponement of the meet. A consultation meeting for inviting local industrialists was reportedly held at Salem in which the Industries Minister, Highways Minister and special secretary to Industries department participated and the Ministers said the GIM would be held in May. But even without their knowledge, the meet was postponed and it was announce in Chennai that it would be held in September.
With the heading that nobody need panic on reports that investment of several thousand crore and investors would come to Tamil Nadu through GIM, a e magazine has provided lot of details. The ‘Times of India’ daily says that MoUs for investment of Rs. One lakh crore would be signed. ‘The New Indian Express’ informs that totally the investments would exceed Rs 2.5 lakh crore with over Rs. One lakh crore in power sector alone. When not even one paisa of investment had come through largely exaggerated claims of investments, reports are coming exaggerating agreement on paper. How these MoUs are to be translated into deeds? When will they come into operation? Has any time limit been fixed for it? Do the TN government and the investors who enter into MoUs have the basic means to implement the assurances given by them? Will the industrial policy of the government and government officials approve and cooperate without delay for the execution of industrial projects? It is natural that all these questions arise in the minds of all who read these reports. The most important question is how many of the MoUs signed will truly come into execution! Before searching for the answer for this question, we should know what sort of progress has been achieved in TN in the last four years relating to industrial investments.
In 2011, MoUs for investment of Rs 73,298 crore were signed, of which investment of only Rs.235 crore has reached TN. Everybody should feel ashamed that the investment that came in fact was just 0.3 percent.
In 2012, MoUs for investment of Rs. 21,253 crore were signed but investment of only Rs. 524 crore has come into operation. That is only 2.4 percent came into operation.
In 2013, MoUs for investment of Rs.27,380 crore were signed but only Rs. 2292 crore that is 8.3 percent came into operation.
In 2014, MoUs for investment of Rs. 14,596 crore was signed but investment of only Rs.2,500 crore has reached TN, that is just 17 percent.
In 2015 up to June, MoUs for investment of Rs. 17.412 crore and works for investment of only Rs.41 crore was carried out. It is shameful that only 0.2 percent of investment came into execution.
In ADMK regime, the investments that have come into operation from June 2011 to July 2015 is only 5.64 percent. The reasons for the gap between MoUs entered into and those coming into execution are the basic infrastructure like electricity, water and transport facilities are not to the level of necessary quantity and quality, the industrial policy of the government and power structure not adopting industry friendly approach. Without following any appropriate method to attract industrial investments in the last four years, after meeting very big defeat in attracting investments, what results will happen by making tall claims at the eleventh hour just for 2016 election publicity?
Affectionately,
M.K.

Stalin to launch ‘Namakku Naame’ campaign in Kanyakumari on Sept.20

To redeem Tamil Nadu from the destructive path of ADMK regime and to render constructive change with a difference, on the advice of Thalaivar Kalaignar, DMK Treasurer Thalapathi M.K. Stalin will launch his Statewide Namkku Naame campaign in Kanyakumari on September 20 and he would cover the State in three phases. In the first phase he will tour 12 districts and completes in Tiruchy on Oct 2.
According to a party headquarters release, with the noble intention of creating a change for ‘development, employment opportunity, economic progress and transparent administration’ and as per the advice of Thalaivar Kalaignar, Stalin will begin the journey on 20.9.2015 at 5.30 p.m at Nagercoil in Kanyakumari district.
In the five year ADMK regime, the people of the State only witnessed distress and rusted government. Moreover it was a ‘regime sans farsightedness’ ‘regime which did not create employment opportunities’ and ’regime which did not start any new industry’ and as a whole the ADMK presented a dysfunctional regime in all respects to the people who voted with trust.
In the State which had had full time Chief Ministers with dedication,  people witness ‘a powerless interim Chief Minister’ and now one hour Chief Minister’, that too on video conference. People are incensed over the government administration conducted like an ‘entertainment’.
On witnessing such a regime afflicting them like summer heat people are yearning for DMK rule which was responsible, working in the interests of people, striving for the progress of the State and preserving democracy in the Assembly. They are in anticipation of the Assembly elections. This ‘Namaku Naame’ campaign for redemption of the dawn of Stalin is for meeting people directly. He will hold consultations with various sections of people and listen to the suggestions of all sections including youth. He undertakes this journey as a great people’s movement for removing the ADMK regime which pushed the State into darkness in the last five years and redeem welfare.
The details of the second and third phase of the campaign will be informed later.
The DMK has produced a documentary featuring party’s treasurer M.K. Stalin ahead of his Statewide Namkku Naame campaign slated to begin on September 30. The 20-minute documentary titled Mudiyattum Vidiyattum will be screened one day in advance in all places where Stalin will meet the people. “A campaign van equipped with an LED TV will tour the State and screen the documentary,” said a party leader associated with the making of the film. “We have called the tour programme Namakku Naamey, since we cannot expect the State government to fulfil the expectations of the people,” he said.

“Withdraw petition against promotion for SC/STs”

DMK President Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi on Sept 13 urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps to withdraw the review petition filed by the Centre in the Supreme Court seeking to dispense with the reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in promotions in higher grade level officers in public sector banks.  “It will go against Modi’s declaration that the next decade is of Dalits,” Kalaignar said replying a question.
Dismissing the petitions of five nationalized banks against quota in promotions for SC/ST category, the Madras High Court on December 9, 2009 delivered a verdict in favour of those sections and the Supreme Court also upheld the verdict on January 9, 2015. The banks filed a review petition in the apex court against this ruling. ‘The Economic Times’ has reported that the Centre also filed a review petition through its Attorney General and the two petitions are to be heard next week.
The reservation in promotions for SC/ST was in vogue since 1955. But the Supreme Court on 16.11.1992, in a case relating to Mandal Commission, held that reservation would apply only at the stage of appointments in government services and not for promotions. In this context, on 17.6.1995 the Constitution was amended for continuing with the system of reservations in promotions and hence the latest review petition filed by the BJP regime at the Centre was not only against the Constitution, but would severely affect job opportunities and promotions for SC/STs, Kalaignar said.
There was no connection and meaning between this review petition filed by Modi regime and his election speech that the next decade was that of Dalits and also become a historical mistake, he said urging the Centre to withdraw the review petition and protect social justice for Dalits.
Rajinikanth on judiciary: Kalaignar also welcomed actor Rajinikanth’s speech at a meeting that it would not augur well for the country if courts were not functioning properly.
Judiciary is the last resort of people. If it gets polluted it will lead to pollution of the entire nation, cautioned actor Rajinikanth. Addressing the birth centenary celebrations of iconic judge P S Kailasam, former judge of the SC, in Chennai on Sept 12, the superstar said common people and politicians could mend their ways even after they get misled. It is not so in the case of judicial officers, who could not undo the damage caused by their indiscipline, he said.
Kalaignar said this speech was not only very meaningful but also very appropriate in the present context. In recent times, negative opinions about courts ad judges have started emanating from all sections of the society. The situation that the rich and influential people could achieve anything was developing and evidences for that also were growing. However severe the cases might be, they could be protracted for any long at will using the loopholes in law; slowly dilute the dictum that all are equal before law; that the correct answer in additions and multiplications are only one could be revised and each could give one type of answers; even the loans obtained by one could be considered as income and remove the difference between loans and income; the verdicts already delivered by the Supreme Court in various cases could be suitably altered according to according to the need of time and situations; “when such opinions by default are fast spreading, this view openly expressed by Super Star Rajinikanth is welcome for all those believing in democracy and Indian Constitution”, Kalaignar said.
Dismissal of nurses: 3,000 nurses working on contract basis during the last 2 ½ years in government, municipal, corporation and PHCs had been suddenly dismissed. Only on 7th last Chief Minister Jayalalitha issued appointment orders for newly recruited nurses through Medical Services Recruitment Board and within few days, 3,000 nurses who were already serving have been sent home leaving their families in distress. Unlike treating Makkal Nala Paniyalargal, the woman CM of TN should show compassion and concern for woman nurses, withdraw their dismissal and reinstate them in government hospitals, Kalaignar urged.
Kalaignar also condoled the death of many people in the mishaps at big mosque in Mecca and in a hotel in Madhya Pradesh and conveyed sympathies to the bereaved families.

A library for every home - Arignar Anna

We are living in times where an incident occurring due to some reason somewhere in the world affects other parts of the World. A war is going on in Palestine and there is a heated discussion over that war at Palayamkottai. An election is to be held at Italy and discussions take place here about which party shall win in that election. Hence, we are living in times where the relations with the outside world increased and also steadily getting growing.
Living means not by giving the great responsibility of enriching the life of our country and the lives of its people to someone who came from a far away country. Not by giving to someone whose head is adorned with bejewelled crown or to someone whose hand holds a sharp sword. Now the situation is that the people have taken over the ruling power and proclaim they are the rulers of the country. The world too knew it very well. In order to draw the attention of the world towards us, we had spoken about the speciality of this country and its power that too in a poetic language.
Moreover we were proud enough to declare our country as a golden country which has no parallel in the world. We were singing aloud that we have high and mighty Mountains touching the sky, perennial rivers, fertile lands, great gardens which produces sumptuous fruits. We have pearls in our seas and gold in our earth. All this is OK. But if someone asks us about the condition of our education, we are in such a condition that our heads bow down in shame. We may say there are Vedic scholors, philosophers, and divine persons in our country. Still some are repeating this for the umpteenth time. But if we ask Kannan whether he can put his signature, he moves his head in the negative way. Muthan says he forget how to sign. Muniyan of course put his signature. But except the first and the last letters, the remaining letters are nothing to do with his name. Majority of the people in our country are in such a condition. A sharp sword; a powerful shield; brave enough chest. But his eyes are with less vision. Such a situation will not enhance the prestige of the country or lead it to a good rule. Our Country’s situation should develop in proportion to world situation. To achieve this, the condition of the house should be changed.
The goal of Library for every home is the basis for the plan to change the situation of the country. World will not respect a country with its mountains, rivers or its treasures. It will respect only upon the mental wealth of its people. So, mental health is the basic requirement to achieve this goal. That too it has to be done very quickly. Illiterates are a majority in our country. This is the greatest curse. But is there enough mental health among the literate?  Are their homes cultivating good qualities to give enough strength and beauty to the country? Are their homes gardens which produce good ideas to the country? But a long pause will be the answers to these questions. If we don’t want to hide the reality, if the world has to respect the conditions of our country, this situation should be changed. If we try harder, we can surely implement the plan of ‘A Library for every home’ and enrich the mental resources of our country. Unlike our predecessors, we have more resources before us. In their times, beside a forest, beside a river, beside a hermitage while the students are sitting under the shade of big banyan tree, their Guru (Teacher), after finishing his morning ablutions will teach them. It was a time writing in palm leaves with a sharp instrument. Now is the time world is coming into homes and shows its beauties. Now I am speaking and all of you are listening. In between there are many miles. Either I or you are not hermit. We are speaking and listening is not because of some boon. It is an instrument brought forth by the science. We have got it. In the period of our predecessors there is no such instruments.
Despite such advanced instruments, why there is very less mental health among us? Because, there is no effort on our part to increase it within our homes or to safeguard it. We are not searching for such avenues.
Take most of the structure of our present day houses. There will be a hall. Beside that there will one or two rooms usable for special occasions in the home. One of them will always be locked. In the other room there may be a cradle. The child sleeping in that may be disturbed by some other child. The elder child may go to mother and complain about this. She will reply “go to puja room. Your father will be there. Tell him about this.” But he will not be there. He may be taking rest near the cattle shed in the backyard. Our houses are more or less like this only. It may have Puja Room, secluded room, Bed room, Kitchen etc. But if you search for a room exclusively for books or reading it will be difficult to find. In many of the houses, books may be kept beside windows, above the pillars and even inside the Pillaiyar Madam (A hallow place within a wall to keep a lamp in the evenings). If you ask the owner of the house whether he had any library in his home, a benign smile will come up on his lips. The meaning of such smile is this is a house. Are you mad asking for a library here?
There may be table, chairs, bureaus. silver plates various kinds of utensils, Panneer sprayer may be kept in those almirahs. It may even hold brass utensils. There may be clothes like a small shop. Even medicines may be there like a tiny hospital. Even in houses such as this, you may not find a library. Such a thought never occur to them and no necessity develops for it.
They may point out that this brass pot was purchased at Srirangam. Other one was purchased at Tirupathi when went to attend the wedding of Deva. This plate was purchased when we went to see the bride at Bellary. This carpet was bought during the Karthigai Deepam Festival at Tiruvannamalai. This was purchased during the Arudhra festival at Chidambaram. Likewise they may point out many pieces of utensils with details when and where they were bought. But they won’t point out any books mentioning the time and details of its purchase.
Like giving attention to the decoration of our houses, to the implements used during festival days, attention should be paid to build a library in every home even if it is a small one. While we are living at a time where knowledge has become the weapon, not giving attention to this is indeed an act of treason committed in an indirect manner.
Every home should have a library. After the basic necessities of life, the next place shall be given to library. Instead of paying attention to decorative pieces, items of enjoyment, library should be given attention next to the essential needs of life. Food and clothing is the basic needs. After fulfilling those needs the first place should be given to a library at home.
How much it will cost? Where is the money for that? Some may raise such questions. Many of them may not be able to buy books as required. To fulfil such needs, Government, Municipalities, public welfare organisations should arrange public libraries. However, homes should have a method of collecting books necessary to improve basic knowledge.
Besides acquiring new knowledge, we need many books to remove or forget some pieces of knowledge acquired already by  people. They already knew about the sceneries of Kailash, the impact of Vaikundam, the significance of Varalakshmi vradam, Thumbru of Narada, Mridangam of Nandi, the notebook of Chitragupta, about Naragalogam, the benefit of moksha, the beauty of Indralogam, the ethereal beauty of Menaka who dance there. They knew Arumugham. They also knew about the peacock ride by him. They too knew about the tussle between Valli and Devayani, the wives of Muruga. They have acquired knowledge about all these and more.
If you ask where is Nandidurga Hills? What is the name of our Finance Minister? They will not answer. The birth place of Cauvery? Will not bother. Why there is no water in Palar? Unable to utter a word. How many textile factories? Don’t know. How long the river Thamirabharani is flowing? Mum’s the word. What is their District’s dimension? They don’t know. What is the income of the city? They don’t know and won’t try to know. But they know Hunuman prabhavam. They can utter the effect of going around Papal tree. They can describe in detail stories on Vedhal, voodoo. They don’t know who had invented the train in which they are travelling. But they can blabber that water touched upon by feet of Karunananda Swamigal, whom they will have darshan after getting down from the train, will cure many illnesses.  
This is the mental strength of our people. They are the majority. Our present day world is taking up research on the destructive power of atom bomb and on the creative power racing towards the Moon. Our country is part of this world. Is it correct one? Those who believe in the future of our country will not say it is correct. They will also say, it is not correct. But what to do? To dispel such mirages from the minds of the people, every home should have a library. Knowledge about our world should be instilled in their minds. It should hold books to know about their country; to know about our world. Not specialised books. Some books which provide basic truth of our time.
Those who have some wealth should create a habit of collecting book on the occasion of some special functions in their homes; while returning from a place as a momento; while awarding prizes for best efforts; Such moves will result in building up a library very easily.
While collecting books for our homes enough attention should be paid not to include those books which sustain unnecessary and harmful thoughts already crept in the minds of the people. If included mind will not be strengthened; instead it will become a marshy land. It will be mired with old and regressive thoughts.
Planning for a library at home will not be successful if it consists three types of Panchangams, an old bundle of panchangams, Pavalakodi malai, Panchamirtha Sindhu, Bold type Vikramadiyan Story, the story of Vedhal, Harichandra’s Burial Ground chapter etc. The mental strength we aspire through a library cannot be attained through such collections. It will be like making the country suitable enough for the scoundrels.  
Books which provide knowledge of the world, knowledge of useful activities should be collected. Collecting books which instill old ideas and methods and naming it as a library will result in a comical situation where the blind will be collected in a place and christening it as the abode of Pathfinders.
In a library developed after getting enough in life, first place in the library of every home should be given to the history of our country, books on various countries in the world. Generally the library should have books which will give its readers clarity in their knowledge, improve their courage and strengthen their discipline in place of books which proclaim our living place as unlivable one, introducing Maya in their minds and obstruct their self confidence or books which ridicule women and instill a belief in fate.
A library should have an Atlas, not Panchangam.
In this basic issue we should show our honesty and will power. Then only building a library in every home will pave the way for the clarity of our thoughts and our mental strength. It will also sustain our country. We cannot invite a tiger to tie-up a garland and we cannot expect a sandal flavor in muddy water.
Out geographical knowledge showed fourteen logas. During those days our philosophy justified even the necessity of human sacrifice. Our historical knowledge said that a king ruled for 10,000 years. On the rights of women, it proclaimed about a good natured wife took her husband in a basket to a brothel house. Our scientific knowledge said about a river of fire and a bridge made of hair upon that river.
Getting books which instill those thoughts into our library at this time will really harm the interest of our country.
To give us an insight of the world we should have geography and history books. In order to instill honesty, discipline and path for our living every home should have a copy of Thirukkural.
Likewise we should have books on Sangam Literature written in a readable manner to know the specialty of our Tamil Nadu. At the minimum, books which provide information about many scientific inventions and to help the growth of the people and their life style.
Life histories of those who laid their lives during the independence struggle, those who have purified the minds of people, those who have visited far off countries and those who were great warriors.  
If we are able to build a library in every home on this basis, it will enrich the country beyond measures. Yes. Every home needs a library. But it should contain books which remove our ignorance and lead us to the path of progress. r
(Transcipt of a talk delivered through All India Radio, Trichy.
Published by Muththamizh Nilayam, Chennai. First Edition: October 1949)

Can the ruining of Indus Valley civilization tolerated?

DMK President Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi on Sept 14 sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akilesh Yadav to protect the Indus Valley settlement. Reacting to a report in The Hindu that Indus Valley settlement razed to expand cultivable land in Baghpat district in Uttar Pradesh, Kalaignar said the BJP government should take all steps to preserve the remnants of the Indus Valley civilisation.
In his epistle on the day, Kalaignar recalled a speech delivered by Arignar Anna on Sept 26th 55 years back in a meeting on the beach in which he said ‘”The DMK is a good veena; and whenever the resonance in it reduced we rectify the strings and pegs and continue to travel. Still, if anybody considers that the veena will snap, it means that they could not consume the strength of the string and the method of making of the veena and the music it emanates”.
As Anna pointed out still there are people who wishfully anticipate for the snapping of the veena and also some who eke out life trumpeting that it has snapped. Least bothering about them, we rectify the strings and pegs of this Veena whenever required and have to continue this journey of ideals, Kalaignar said.
“When we as usual are celebrating the 137th birth anniversary of Thanthai Periyar and 107th birth anniversary of Arignar Anna as ‘Mupperum Vizha’, I happened to read an excellent article written by one Mohamad Ali in yesterday’s ‘The Hindu’ daily (Sept 13) about ‘Indus Valley civilisation’ and its present condition with photographs”. When he read it, he was reminded of the article written by Anna under the heading “Inba Dravidam’, the research notes of veteran epigraphist Iravatham Mahadevan and the research results of Finland scholar Prof Asko Parpola, who was presented “Kalaignar Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Award’ at the Classical Tamil Conference at Coimbatore in 2010 during DMK rule, Kalaignar said.
In his article Anna citing various scholars and findings said ‘once Dravidian civilization and rule started from Tirunelveli and extended up to Sind and Punjab and beyond’.
Archeologist Iravatham Mahadevan has categorically stated that he has come to the conclusion on studying and identifying Indus Valley seals that they were inter-related and signs of early period terms. He has released a research paper compiling his study relating to this for about 50 years, in which he announced that it has come to be certain that the Indus Valley signs were Dravidian letter characters. He says the details, names and meanings explain that they are roots of Dravidian language. He explains that these Indus Valley characters were linked to the connection between ancient Tamil Nadu and Indus Valley civilization. As those who lived in Indus valley migrated towards south they might have settled in South India and hence Indus is the extension of Dravidian, are observed in southern Dravidian languages including Tamil.  
Similarly, Asko Porpola says that ‘in Harappa were Indus valley civilization existed, epigraphic symbols were found in a language which could not be certainly identified in the period between BC 1870 and BC 1890. Moreover, excavations found many scripts in Mesopatomia area, on the basis of which it was ascertained that the period of Indus Valley civilization was BC 2600-1900. When Indus Valley civilization perished its scripts also vanished. Still, some scripts which were protected helped research and find the language used in Harappa. What we understand through historic languages is that the people of Indus Valley civilization (Harappa) should have spoken only Dravidian language”, said Asko Parpola.
Now Mohamad Ali in his article in ‘The Hindu’ has said that these are getting affected. He has informs:
 “A 5000-year-old Indus Valley settlement located in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh, stands abandoned and unprotected. The archaeological site, discovered in 1957 in Alamgirpur village of the district, is regarded as one of the most historically significant finds in the country as it showed for the first time evidence of habitation pertaining to the Harappan period in the Upper Doab region between the Ganga and the Yamuna.
However, at present the settlement, which lies just 70 km. from the national capital, faces destruction by the villagers who have flattened the centuries-old structures to expand their cultivable land. Worse, some of the villagers have built houses, memorials and temple-like structures on top of the settlement, where excavations till last year had given crucial insights about life and society during the Harappan period, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization.
During excavations of the site which dates back to the Harappan period of 3300-1300, the ASI archaeologists found ceramic items like roof tiles, dishes, terracotta cakes and figurines of a humped bull and a snake. After its discovery the site was declared “protected.” But it is anything but that now. The chief of the ASI Agra Circle, Bhuvan Vikram, underlined the importance of the settlement but also accepted the complications which led to the encroachment by the villagers.
“The settlement marks the eastern most limits of the Harappan culture and belongs to the late Harappan phase, a period starting around 1900-1800 BC when the Indus Valley Civilization, popularly known as the Harappan Culture, began to decline,” he said.
The civilization, which is known for its superior urban planning, is believed to have flourished in the period between 3300 BC and 1300 BC in what is today Pakistan, northwest India and parts of Afghanistan and Balochistan. With the continued encroachment by the villagers, the overall area of the protected settlement has been reduced from 28 bighas to just 6 bighas now.
“It is true that the area is protected but the land rights of the place are still with the farmers and the villagers cannot be stopped from farming on the land.” The ASI, he said, was making efforts to ensure that there was no further encroachment. “Whatever has been encroached, we cannot take back from the villagers. Our priority now is to prevent further encroachment,” he added.
However, a senior ASI official in Meerut told The Hindu on condition of anonymity that given the construction and flattening of the protected mound, there was a likelihood that the ancient heritage might have already suffered great harm. “The farmers and villagers have in the last few years cut the mound and reduced the protected area at a disturbing pace to increase their farming land. I am afraid that important articles of the ancient heritage might have already been destroyed,” he said. He also said that the ASI had written to the State repeatedly to prevent encroachment and fence the area off to prevent further encroachment. But there was lack of awareness in bureaucratic circles about ancient heritage. ASI officials also expressed helplessness. The ASI notice warns the inhabitants against any kind of construction within a radius of 100 metres of the protected site. But the warning has never been heeded.
Locals recall how they built, one by one, four samadhis, on top of the mound without any objection from the administration or the ASI. “The four samadhis were built in memorial of the great souls of the village,” said Dharmendra Raghav, a villager in his late thirties who had seen the mound since he was born. While pointing to the huts, built atop the protected mound, he said it was “good” that the “old structure” was of some use to the villagers. “We got to know that old things were found during excavation in this mound. But, you tell me, is archaeology more important than farming. How can you ask a farmer not to till his land and grow crops. What will he eat if he doesn’t get the land to do farming,” said Raghav, who works at a construction site in Delhi, while questioning the logic of not flattening the mound for farming”.
Kalaignar said that “this article has come attracting our attention when we are conducting Mupperum Vizha in Chennai. I carry these details to the Centre, and request the BJP regime at the Centre and U.P State government to help safeguard Indus Valley civilization and protect the ancestry of the areas of early periods without even a bit of ruin, when we are celebrating the 107th birth anniversary of Arignar Anna. I again urge in particular Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.P. Chief Minister Akilesh Yadav to involve themselves in this issue with diligence and historical perspective and come forward to protect the signs of Indus valley civilization and the area of that civilization”, Kalaignar said.

Story of digging three ponds with the tip of thorn!

As they say “Three ponds were dug with the tip of a thorn; of which two ponds were ruin and water did not come in one”, similarly the Global Investors Meet convened by Jayalalitha ended like writing sugar on a paper and applying on the tongue. Still, hiding the shame Jayalalitha has announced that Rs. 2.40 lakh crore has been obtained for Tamil Nadu. The figures of the Industrial Policy and Development department of the Centre inform that the direct investment received totally for many States together in the last one year through the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to 26 nations was only Rs. 1,89,000 crore. But the wonder of Chief Minister Jayalalitha heaping investment of Rs. 2.40 lakh crore in just a two-day conference from the place of her seating is like the story of mango dropping in magic!
But had Jayalalitha convened this meet four years back by this time all these industries would have been started and milk and honey would have been flowing in the roads of Tamil Nadu; why that golden opportunity was slipped could not be understood!
Jayalalitha has announced that the procedure for starting industry in TN has been simplified and approval would be given in just one month. But in the symposium held there industrialist Dhananjeyan of Ariyalur district boldly stood up and entered into an argument with the Minister that ‘he submitted proper documents for starting industry to the District Collector and officers concerned during the last two years but so far approval was not given”.
Some paragraphs of the article written in today’s ‘Junior Vikatan’ about this meet:-
“Andhra and Karnataka competing with each other conducted meetings in TN and inviting investors offering land at low costs and tax concessions. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah came to Coimbatore and extended invitation for starting industry in Karnataka. Hence, investors of TN invested about Rs.12,000 crore in the Industrial Park over 1,595 acre area established in Chamaraj Nagar in Karnataka. Similarly Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also invited TN investors. Only after all these happened suddenly it struck to TN government.
 Had the rulers, who make so much planning for Jayalalitha’s participation, carried out matters for attracting investors in the beginning itself that would have become history. What would they achieve by conducting the meet in the short period when the 2016 Assembly elections are only a few months away?
There is no chance in TN to meet and discuss with the Chief Minister for starting industry. The Chief Ministers of other States personally go to many States and countries and mobilize investments. But Jayalalitha does not meet even industrialists coming to Chennai and want to meet her.
Jayalalitha released ‘Vision 2023’ farsighted plan claiming to take TN on the path of development. But, actions to achieve the target remain hampered. It was announced in ‘Vision 2023’ that infrastructural facilities at the cost of Rs.15 lakh crore would be created, for which Rs. 4.09 lakh crore should have been spent. But not even Rs 4,000 crore has been allocated. Similarly, though it was announced that ’20,000 MW thermal electricity projects would be set up’, that target was not reached. Vision 2023 announcements of triangular 6 lane and 8 lane roads between Chnegleput- Tuticorin, Tuticorin-Coimbatore and Coimbatore-Chengleput at a cost of Rs.24,000 crore, railway line development at a cost of Rs.1.88 lakh crore in association with the Centre, Rs.25,000 crore airport expansion plan, industrial projects at a cost of Rs.1,60,985 crore and new houses for slum dwellers in urban areas at a cost of Rs.25,000 crore have all become mirages.
It was those who discredited Metro Rail issuing pages of statements stating that Mono Rail was the best alternative to Metro Rail claimed credit for Metro Rail project. They said mono rail project would also be brought for Madurai, Coimbatore and Tiruchy. But all are only fireworks.
The Centre brought Maduravoyal-Chennai port elevated expressway project to easily send cars from car manufacturing factories to Chennai port from Maduravoyal, but that has been hampered by the TN government”.
What is the reply of these rulers for all these written by ‘Junior Vikatan’?
The Chief Minister has said that special concessions would be offered if industries were started in southern districts. During the DMK rules itself, a committee led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Rethinavel Pandian was constituted for industrial development in southern districts and for implementing progressive schemes for the benefit of people living in those areas, and many initiatives based on the recommendations of the committee were taken. Due to the efforts of the then Union Minister Murasoli Maran it was planned to establish a huge Special Economic Park at Nanguneri and foundation stone was laid for it. In the regime that came thereafter, the works for implementing the project were not done properly.
Now I want to tell how this department functioned in DMK rule.
On 8.11.2006, a Special Task Force consisting of the representatives of federations of industry and commerce headed by the Chief Minister was constituted to help industrial and commercial development of the State. For the first time in India, an exclusive policy for micro, small and medium industries (MSMI) policy was formulated in 2008 with the objectives of increasing the competitiveness of micro, small and medium industries in State and gradually upgrading their functional efficiency, to encourage agro industries for farmers to get additional income and fixing the annual growth rate of micro, small and medium industries for over 10 percent.
Before preparing the demand for grants for Industries department for the year 2009-10, the then Deputy Chief Minister M.K.Stalin convened the meeting of the federation of entrepreneurs of micro, small and medium and large industries on 13.6.2009 at the secretariat and had consultations for actions to be taken for the industrial development of the State. Thereafter, such meetings were held in Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Tiruchy and Erode. The Central Statistical Organisation released the annual report on industries in 2008-09 according to which it was stated that Tamil Nadu stood first in India in the number of industrial units with 26,122 industrial units and first in number of workers employed in industries with 17,74,019 workers, third in ‘total investments’, in ‘gross industrial production’ and ‘net value addition’ industries.
The business daily ‘Wall Street Journal’ in its issue on July 8,2010 praised the works of TN government saying, ‘TN works better than other States in India in supplying lands, roads and electricity required for vehicle manufacturing industries. Moreover it is issuing approvals of over 12 government departments at one place under single window system’.
As a result of the encouragement given for industrial development by formulating a new industrial policy after the DMK rule was formed in 2006, industrial friendly transparent approach with industrial investors and industrial infrastructure developed up to international standards, total investments increased by about four times in five years by Rs. 5,73,765.64 crore to Rs.7,65,557.92 crores in December 2010, and a silent revolution took place in industrial development.
When Central Coir Board vice-chairman Dr.K. Raya met reporters a few months back, he had said that the Union Small, Micro and Medium Industry through Central Coir Board has a plan to set up a coir industrial park in TN with an investment of Rs.100 crore with the financial assistance of Central and State governments. The Centre was ready to provide Rs.70 crores and the State government had to provide only Rs.10 crore. If Rs.20 crore was provided through Khadi and Gram Sarvodaya Sangh this park would be established over 200 acre at Vazhdhareddy village in Villupuram district. But Tamil Nadu government so far had not granted approval for setting up the park. Despite attempts to meet TN Rural Industries Minister Mohan in the last two months he could not meet. Even the President of India could be met easily and take photographs. But Tamil Nadu Minister could not be met by even a Central government officer like him. Every year Rs.500 crore worth coconut fibre and pith blocks were burnt and wasted, he charged. (The Coir Park would have coir fiber extraction unit, coir pith blocks, rubberised coir pad, production of bonded coir ply, coir yarn on traditional ratts, curled coir unit from decorticated coir fiber, production of corridor mat, production of coir matting (semi-automatic loom), setting up of PVC/Latex tuffed coir mat, manufacture of export quality coir yarn using multi-spindle automatic unit and coir dolls and furniture.)
Whether they start new industries in our State or not, profitablyt running industries like Nokia and Foxconn run away leaving workers stranded on roads, but the rulers are indifferent. They are least bothered about thousands of workers losing jobs. Why, still there are no reports of firms which entered into agreement with TN government for starting their units having started them.
The Central Statistical Organisation released its review report on industries in 2009-09, according to which,
v There are 26,122 industrial units in Tamil Nadu, by which the State stands first in India in the number of industrial units.
v Tamil Nadu also stands first in the number of workers employed in these industries; 17,74,019 workers are employed in industries.
v Tamil Nadu ranks third in ‘total investments’
v Tamil Nadu ranks third in ‘total industrial production’.
v Further, Tamil Nadu stands third in the order of ‘net value adding’ industries
The ‘Assocham’ in its ‘Bizcon’ report referred to Tamil Nadu being one of the three best States in India in successfully wooing investments by stating that ‘Tamil Nadu, being the biggest State in India in the manufacture and export of vehicles is also one among the top most 10 principal centres  in the world in the manufacture of vehicles’. This was possible due to the integrated huge vehicle project policy announced by the DMK government.
In an exclusive interview given to a daily on 4.2.2014, the then Union Minister Sudarsana Nachiappan pointed out how the TN government was disinterested in industrial development by stating that TN government was not evincing interest in implementing a mega industrial development scheme by the Union Industries department for Tamil Nadu for which the Centre would provide 90 percent of the investment as loan. I had sought the response of Chief Minister Jayalalitha for this then, did she or the Minister of the department reply?
During DMK rule number of women employed in industries was 4,93,000 but now in ADMK regime it has come down to 3,78,000, thus the number of women who lost jobs is 1,15,000. Is lakhs of women losing jobs the sign for industrial development?
Subramanian Swamy himself has said about industrial development in TN, “There is no industrial development and economic progress. I understand that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has attracted industrialists here to his State. Why TN government did not take any effort to retain the investment that went to Karnataka? As there is severe power shortage and non-cooperation of government officials in all stages, nobody from other States come forward to invest in TN. The situation of expecting TN to emerge as the principal State in the country in information technology sector has changed. The reason is the State government administration is not proper”. What is the use in Chief Minister Jayalalitha getting angry with us?
They have made big issue of Sun Edison of the US coming forward to invest Rs.12,000 crore and Adani group announcing Rs.15,000 crore investment in the just concluded GIM. But ‘Nakkeeran’ biweekly has reported that the representative of a Chinese company said that they ‘wanted invest Rs.15,000 crore in the same sector in which these two firms invested, but the Jayalalitha regime drove us away coming to offer power to TN on golden plate’. When a reporter of the magazine enquired an officer about the MoUs signed in the meet, he has said, ‘in the last four and a half years MoUs were signed for Rs.60,620 crores but could get investment of only Rs.43,000 crores. Will the present announcement of investment of Rs.2,42,000 crore become like the 110 announcements read out by the Chief Minister in the Assembly?”
Reading such reports, only the saying I cited in the beginning “Three ponds were dug with the tip of a thorn; of which two ponds were ruin and water did not come in one” comes to mind again.
Affectionately,
M.K.

“Move resolution for international probe into war crimes of Lanka”

Extending the support of DMK to the TN Assembly resolution on war crimes of Sri Lanka and taking exception to the attempt of the US to revise historical incidents, DMK President Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi on Sept 16 urged India to move a resolution for an independent, credible international probe into the war crimes of Sri Lanka.
In a statement, Kalaignar said possibly because her conscience questioned her Chief Minister Jayalalitha, who was accustomed to read out 110 statements and leaving the Assembly since the session began on Aug 24, has moved a special resolution of the government on Sep 16.
That resolution asked the Centre to move a “strong resolution” in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for an international probe into the war crimes and genocide in the final phase of the civil war in Sri Lanka. It urged the Centre to move a resolution along with United States and other countries at the UNHRC for the international probe against all the perpetrators of the human rights violations and those responsible for the genocide. In case, the United States takes a pro-Lankan stand, India should take diplomatic efforts to change that”.
The UNHRC adopted a resolution for international probe into war crimes in Lanka in its meeting in March last year, which was strongly opposed by Sri Lanka then. Still the UNHRC proceeded with enquiry relating to prior arrangements and the report was to be tabled in March this year. But in the meanwhile there was a change of regime in Lanka and hence the Lankan government sought postponement of the tabling of the report and accordingly it was postponed and tabled on Sept 17.
It was in this situation that the TN Assembly resolution urged the Centre to take up with the UNHRC steps required for international probe against those who perpetrated war crimes. This was what he had said in a reply on Aug 29 to the reported move of the US to hand over the probe to Sri Lankan regime that the truth of genocide has come out in the three-member UN team enquiry.
The US resolution in UNHRC in 2014 demanded an independent, credible international probe into the war crimes in Sri Lanka. In the resolutions adopted at the TESO conference on 12.8.2012, DMK executive committee meeting on 25.3.2013 and in the General Council on 15.12.2013 demanded that an international experts committee be set up to find out war crimes perpetrated there and those perpetrators should be punished.
The international experts committee set up by the UN was not permitted to enter into Sri Lanka by the then Rajapaksa regime, which he condemned then. Now the decision of the US seems to be attempting to cover up genocide in Lanka and hand over the probe into war crimes to the Lankan government, Kalaignar noted. This was reported by the US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia who visited Sri Lanka recently. “It is widely reported in the press that the USA is going to bring in a totally revised resolution seeking a domestic inquiry into alleged war crimes and human rights violations during the peak of civil war in 2009. This was contrary to their earlier stand demanding an independent international probe. I wish that this report should not be true; on the contrary, if it is true the DMK condemns the US attempt to revise historic incidents”, he had said.
Extending the support of DMK to the TN Assembly resolution on war crimes of Sri Lanka as it echoed the DMK demand Kalaignar urged the Centre for India to move a resolution for an independent, credible international probe into the war crimes of Sri Lanka

“Only those trying to break DMK’s efforts will get broken”

Asserting that only those trying to break the efforts of the DMK would get broken, DMK President Kalaignar asked the rank and file to realize their great responsibility of protecting the Tamil race and language swear to take forward the movement on the peak of victory.
In his address in the ‘Mupperum Vizha’ celebrations at Anna Arivalayam on Sept 15, Kalaignar on Anna’s birth anniversary on the day emotionally recalled the poetic lines he recited when the leader departed from us,
“More tender than the tenderness of a flower lovely                    
is his heart holy - his heart lovingly –
his embracing heart so motherly!
When his lips blossom and speak Tamil so chaste–
mango, jack , banana - these tri-fruits get defeated in          taste;
and his flowering eyes become spears, swords sharper
if evil any comes to Tamil Mother!
Though his soft feet become weary, his journey
      stops not;
His flower-like tender hands embrace his
      brethren, his Party soft!
Such flowers forgive his enemies unripe,
and make their heads bow down like paddy crops ripe!
O Crown of Flowers! O Crown of Fame that comes neat
to enrich the flower of democracy that people greet
and make the flower of equal justice smell sweet!                    
I’ll fly daily like a bee humming through
amidst heaps of greetings that comes longing for you!
“For you we’ll sacrifice ourselves” – so saying true,
Stand crores of Tamil youths that sing a song
of which you are the great hero to be sung !
O hear me sing of the fame well-nursed
of the brave man of action who increased
the gusto for Tamil’s beauty of highest type
in the bosom minds of youths unripe!
O hear me sing of the orderliness of his Truth
that put medicine of his ripe fruitful mouth
and applied hot vapour of love smooth
to the wounds as caused often
by the spear of troublesome Satan!
As theme in poetry, as taste in sugarcane,
as light in ray, as flower in garden,
as coolness on moon, as fertility on land of dream,
as language faltered by the overly familiar stream,
as music climbing the wandering wind supreme,
as foam that dances in the wavy ocean wing
the poets with artistic fragrance sing
of the fame of firstborn brother Anna’s crown;
But oh, the tears of daughter Earth become
floods!
floods!
great floods!
In the year Nineteen thirty eight,
when some people sowed the seed aright
of linguistic rebellion in our motherland dearly -
our brother-unparalleled commander of Erode’s army,
entered the battlefield with Kanchi flower!
Do you remember
what at Chennai I said true                    
in the year nineteen fifty two?
He suffered in jail for two three months chill
and gave us the walking stick of Tamil
and became named with tri-letters A-n-na still!
There’s a speciality in three letters of mel;
There’s in it the fragrance of tri-Tamil!
Kings three - flags three – fruits three;
The Tamils played trumpets three;
The Tamil ‘Va-zh-Vu’ (life) which they led free has three letters;
The basis of that life called ‘A-n-bu’ (love), has
     three letters;
That which helps love called ‘A-ri-vu’  (knowledge), has three letters;
That which lovers praise called ‘ Vee-ra-m’ (valour), has three letters;
That which valour causes is ‘ Ka-la-m’ (battlefield) with three letters;
That which is got in battlefield is ‘Ve-t-ri’ (victory) with three letters;
That which motivates us towards victory is ‘Anna’ –
the  three-lettered name ‘A-n-na’!
To praise the race of motherhood
a statue he put to Avvai so good;
a statue to Kannagi who nourished code of conduct;
a statue to Bharathi of unbending heart perfect;
and one to recalcitrant Bharathidasan to instruct;
a statue to  Caldwell Pope too in the row;
a statue to Kambar also;
a statue to a Tamil who steered a ship with bravery;
a statue to Thiruvalluvar to spread his kural of victory;
Since  Anna  put  ten  statues,                      
to let his love of Tamil be known to the world of reviews–
a statue was put to Anna also!
When it was put at Chennai as our Supremo .....
he stood showing his index finger only...
And we thought simply–
that Anna was commanding us strictly!
Alas! I understand now only that his finger then
    meant irony
that he would live for one more year only!
Our Anna of arts! .....
O king of hearts... !
you said smart –
that you have us as brethren unafraid of army,
why then, leaving us behind, continued a long journey?
We grew in the warmth of your eyesight,
but why then changed our eyes into ponds of plight?
We thought you are the shadow for us,
but you had gone to seek a shadow under sea
     without fuss -
Is it just, O Anna ?
“All the pearls that lie under the sea crest
are not pearls best;
I am the only pearl blest!”- so saying dare,
do you sleep in the seashore?
Your tongue has been pouring out melodious
   music rare;
Why did you then curl it up today bare?
By moving your finger in the world of writing,                    
you have been performing wonders so moving;
Why did you fold it now as reposing?
I have seen the beauty spray
of your thinking with your eyes closed! But today–
what a torture that Earth has covered you in her sway,
letting us not to see you anyway!
You found a solution to torture - but
why did you go, after making us subject to it?
You said, ‘We want a heart to bear anything’ –
O Anna, where is such a heart for us to bear
     such thing?
Enough , O Anna, enough!
Enough that you enjoyed fresh air in seashore-life!
Rise and come, O King daring ! …
You won’t come; You won’t come rising!
The plot of Nature we know! O Anna, till I come
seeking your place of fame,
lend me your heart for sometime, O  Anna!....
When I come to you, I’ll bring it calm
and place it at your tender feet warm, O Anna!”
Recalling his association with party General Secretary Perasiryar from the days when he invited the then Annamalai University student for a function in Tiruvarur, Kalaignar said both of them had crossed 90 and would work for the movement that they nurtured in the remaining years of their lives. He said the two articles that he and Perasiriyar had written in ‘Murasoli’ on the day explained the roots of the Dravidian movement and the opposition to it from time to time and how they were overcome. The youth of the day should understand the ancestry of our civilization and how the pioneers of the movement taught them about its greatness and imbibed race consciousness.

Kalaignar regretted that now so many were speaking about Dravidian race and work for doing away with the very word ‘Dravidian’ from the State but there was no fall for Tamils, not politically but historically and racially.
“In the coming few months there would be a storm called elections but we would not be affected by it as the Dravidian movement had the capability and heroism to withstand any storm. Now what people said yesterday was forgotten on the next day. They make a drama of what they said yesterday and in continuation of that hoodwink trick were performing so many perplexing acts. Nobody needs worry about it because we will protect ourselves for which the DMK rank and file have skill, valour, potential and experience for it. We, nurtured by Periyar and Anna, cannot be defeated by anybody when we have the army of several thousand youth around us. I am not telling this with election in mind, elections will come and go. But our race has to continue to come. Our race has exclusive valour, civilization and culture and every youth and every Tamil has the duty to protect them. Even while those born as Tamils should swear to protect Tamil and at a time when the Assembly elections are due in a few months, we must remember that starting as 15 members in the Assembly we grew in Assembly and Parliament and to the height of growth when political parties in the world are astonishing on observing us.
“This growth is not that of the mushroom that sprouted in rain in the morning but that of a banyan tree (applause). No parallel could be shown for this growth. If we wasted this growth it would amount to committing suicide. At this juncture, every Tamil should bear in mind that the talk of Tamil Nadu, Tamils and the Dravidam that they followed, the unity of Dravidian race they created and their love for Tamil language will persist forever, strive for it and achieve great victory. Only if that victory is achieved these functions would be meaningful.
“These festivals are not for our benefit or for some persons getting posts. We are not afraid of anybody and at the same time we will not harass anybody and drive them away. We are known for peace and conducting the movement in a peaceful manner and consolidating and safeguarding the movement without causing any damage to the reputation and policies of our mentors Periyar and Anna. This movement now is in the peak of victory (applause). It must be made a successful movement and used. But unlike some other political party, we must use it for protecting our culture, civilization, language and affinity for language and this function is an impetus for doing that work.
“Nobody needs fear. The report about this function will not be published so much in dailies tomorrow. Because, some parties here are working together for undercutting democratic rule and rule of the citizens, and how to help that fraud. When I say so much, some may apprehend clash between us and fraternal parties. I would tell them that whoever think of harming this alliance and the efforts of DMK and try to break it they could not and only they will get broken.
“Hence I request the youth here not to give room for the ruling party to get reelected by reeling out lies and involve themselves in the task of exposing their pretentions and deceit to the people. Only if they perform this task efficiently could we achieve our goal. The goal is not ordinary but every youth, every student, every comrade should come forward to undertake the big responsibility of saving an extinguishing race and crown that responsibility,” Kalaignar said.

WB report flies in face of Jaya gloating over GIM!

Even before the fanfare and jamboree over the Global Investors Meet oraganised by the ADMK regime and the noise of the accolades to Chief Minister Jayalalitha for its ‘grand success’ subsided, the World Bank report on ranking of States on the ease of doing business in India ripped apart the tall claims of Jayalalitha & co about their regime making Tamil Nadu the preferred destination for investors around the world.
The regime and its supporters and the servile media in Tamil Nadu so far were willfully sneering at critics who disputed the unsubstantiated claims Jayalalitha regime on industrial development, economic progress, infrastructure building etc., But now with the authentic report of the World Bank relegating the State to the 12th place in ranking of States on the ease of doing business in India, they are dumb-folded.
Gujarat has topped the list of states in rapidly implementing business reforms, a study conducted by the World Bank and the government’s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has shown. Key states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been slow in making progress and even lag less developed States such as Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Tamil Nadu is ranked 12 on the report and listed as a State which needs to speed up reforms.
The study assessed the States on various key parameters such as ease of setting up business; allotment of land and obtaining construction permit; complying with environment procedures; complying with labour regulations; obtaining infra-related utilities; registering and complying with tax procedures; carrying out inspections and enforcing contracts. The assessment shows that none of the States could achieve distinction or cross the 75% mark (dubbed as leaders category in the survey) in the overall assessment on business reforms. The top seven states emerged in the aspiring leaders’ category and these were Gujarat (71%), AP (70%), Jharkhand (63%), Chhattisgarh (62%), MP (62%), Rajasthan (61%) and Odisha (52%).
Former Financial Commission member D K Srivastava said TN’s poor ranking could be because of the State’s power crisis. “Expectations from businessmen on infrastructure, especially power, could have made TN rank low. Delays in getting permission may also be a factor,” he said.
The investors, especially the MNCs have long term perspective on infrastructure facilites when they choose the place for investment. On the power front, though the State government has managed power cuts for long durations, thanks to the generation of power from the projects started during the DMK rule, commissioning of Koodankulam nuclear power plant and willful purchases from private power firms at exorbitant rates, no new power project has been started in the last four and a half years.
On developing infrastructural facilities in ADMK regime, the least said the better. Not only any major infrastructure projects such as widening of roads, construction on flyovers etc., were taken up but also they hampered the ongoing works on vital infrastructure facility such as Rs. 1815 crore Chennai port-Maduravoyal elevated expressway stated during previous DMK rule, which facilitated container movement to and from the port without any hassles in traffic congestion.
In the past, Tamil Nadu did not need an investor summit, said L. Somasundaram, economic analyst. Things have changed, he said, with the State facing stiff competition from other States.
Nokia, an iconic mobile handset maker, shut down its India plant at Sriperumbudur near Chennai in 2014 and Foxconn, the world’s largest contract manufacturer of mobile phones and electronics, closed its unit in Sriperumpudur in February last.
United States carmaker Ford set up its second car manufacturing facility in Sanand taluk near Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Nearly two decades after setting foot in Chennai, Korean car major Hyundai has decided to pump in fresh investment of over Rs 4,500 crore for a new factory to boost its production capacity to over a million vehicles. States lobbying with the Korean company include Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. The lobbying has been hectic after Hyundai Motor Group’s global chairman Chung Mong-koo said in May that the company is “reviewing” plans for a new factory in India. He had said this after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Seoul. The company is said to be reluctant to expand around the existing location in Chennai considering that it faced a lot of problems and no help from the government in Chennai.
 Mahindra and Mahindra is said to be ready to invest Rs.4,000 crore but the State government is indifferent, Isuzu is shifting to Andhra Pradesh, the expansion of Saint-Gobain shifting to Rajashthan, Ramco Cements has signed pact for starting its 2.5 metric ton unit at Curnool in AP.
The Special Economic Zone developed in collaboration with private sector at Sricity in A.P over 7000 acres has so far attracted investments of over Rs.6,000 crore. Even Alstom which has to supply 168 Metro Rail coaches has selected Sricity for its unit.
Data shows how investment promises only trickle down into actual investments on the ground over years. That too, not fully. The Centre plays only a 10 per cent role by framing policies and the remaining 90 per cent of attracting investments depends on the state government.
 “One needs to be careful about over promising on investments and not delivering, which might give a bad publicity.” Partha Mukhopadhyay, Centre for Policy Research, said, “When a State announces investment proposals, we need see in what time frame. A mere statement alone would not mean much. If an HCL says it is going to investment $1 billion or Rs. 6,000 crore in next five years, such an investment depends on a lot of factors like their demand from the clients.” The MoUs are a mere expression of interest to invest. Converting into reality depends on lot of factors including the time it takes to take clearances.
And, he said, most of the clearances depend on the state government. Also, Dr. Sinha said, the ground situation matters — factors such as stretched balance sheets and bank not wanting to lend also plays a part in investment not converting into reality. This is particularly true of big-ticket riskier investments like power.
It is still difficult for foreign companies to invest in Tamil Nadu due to bureaucratic hurdles. The slow pace of the Chennai Metro Rail is also a matter of concern, Muneo Kuruachi, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Japan-India Business Co-Operation Committee told The Hindu in an interview on the sidelines of the Global Investors Meet. He said, “Our mission is to be in three cities - Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. Tomorrow, we are to going to Bangalore. Our investors are mainly small and medium companies. They want to increase their knowledge of India. That means no financial commitments to GIM. Of course, there are many challenges, especially for newcomers. When they try to start business, it is not so easy. Even now it takes time… too many bureaucratic processes. Japan has invested so much money in Chennai Metro Rail.  But the the progress is a concern. Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and Mizuho already have their branches here. Remaining is Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC). They are proposing to the Central Bank to set up shop here but I am not sure whether it is in Chennai”.
This is the reality of the much publicized GIM and the World Bank report flies in the face of Jayalalitha gloating over the success of the GIM!  r