Shri A.K. Balan, Hon’ble Minister for Culture, SC/ST and Backward Communities,

Shri K. Krishnan Kutty, Hon’ble Minister for Water Resources,

Shri P.K. Biju, Member of Parliament,

Shri K. Babu, Member of Legislative Assembly,

Shri Justice M. Jayachandran (Retd), Former Judge,Madras High Court,

Shri S.R. Eradha, Former Minister, Tamil Nadu,

Shri A.X. Alexander IPS (Retd),

Smt. M. Sayranthry, President, Gramasabha Vadavanur,

Thiru Saidai Sa Duraisamy, Chairman, Manidhaneyam Free

IAS Academy - who is responsible for this function

Shri S.S. Jawahar, IAS (Retd),

Shri Vetri Duraisamy,

Sahodaree Sahodaranmare, Madhyama Suhruthukale,

Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.

       I am very happy to inaugurate the renovated house of Bharat Ratna Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran, who lives forever in the minds of the people as the unforgettable Makkal Thilakam, MGR.

Let me at the outset, compliment Thiru. Saidai Sa Duraisamy, Chairman of ‘Manidhaneyam Free IAS Educational Trust’ and former Mayor of Greater Chennai Corporation for undertaking the task of renovating this house at Vadavanur where the iconic leader Thiru. MGR grew up as a child.  Thiru. Saidai Duraisamy has recently had the distinction of having participated as the Chief Guest at the Buckingham Palace in London.  As the President of the World MGR Federation and Chairman of Manidhaneyam Educational Trust, he has been engaged in the noble task of taking the fame, glory and pride of the matchless leader Thiru. MGR to the entire world.

As we inaugurate the renovated house of our dear and respected MGR, we are reminded of how he started his life and grew to a matchless stature through sheer hard work and dedication.  Even though Thiru. MGR was born in Kandy in
Sri Lanka, to where his family had migrated, most of his life was spent in Tamil Nadu. However, his parents had chosen to live in this village in Kerala, where his father Thiru. Gopala Menon was a Magistrate and a teacher.

Thiru. MGR's work commenced at the tender age of seven along with his brother Thiru Chakrapani, in a drama company from where he went through different stages of life and finally to immortal, both on the screen and in  the minds of millions of people for whom he worked tirelessly.

Like many others, he too, had started working with his brother to support the family. But, MGR always knew that for him, 'Family' meant much more than the people of his household.  From theater, he moved to Cinema, through which he entertained millions of people who saw in him, a reflection of themselves. On screen, he spoke their language, expressed their anger and anguish and their optimism about a better world. The people accepted him wholeheartedly and it is not surprising that he too, decided to be worthy of their trust by serving them.

The philosophy that guided MGR as an administrator was contained in a song he once acted in. The song says : Odi Odi Uzhaikkanam, Oorukkellaam kodukkanam. It means work by running and running and give all to the people.  And, as a philanthropist, MGR gave away to the people, much of the wealth he had earned. I recall that during the Chinese aggression on our country, he donated Rs. Seventy Five Thousand to the ‘War Fund’ and earned the appreciation of all including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and the great leader Kamarajar.  Each film MGR acted in, taught good values and lessons to the people.

We are aware of how Thiru MGR conducted the affairs of the State during the ten years of his Chief Ministership with honesty and integrity. We had observed how keen he was to bring welfare to the people. His love for the people came in the form of many welfare schemes like Nutritious Meal scheme for school children, special buses for Women, preservation of historic monuments and temples etc., What made him special as an administrator was his humility and understanding of the problems of the common man.

Incidentally, I have vivid memories of his concern and respect for youth.  In 1973, as a young Lawyer, I had met him to seek his blessings on my first day in Court.  As I went into his house at Ramapuram, Chennai, there were many important people like former Speaker Thiru P.H. Pandiyan, former Ministers, rich industrialists and many others waiting to meet him.  I handed over my details to his P A, Thiru JPR and waited. But, I was surprised to hear JPR call out my name first, on the direction of Thiru MGR.  I could hear the waiting VIPs murmur in discontent because they felt ignored.

As I went in, Thiru MGR said: “I called you in first, because this is the first day you are going to Court as a Lawyer and you should not be late”. He blessed me and advised me to keep away from politics and to concentrate only on work so that I would reach a high position in life particularly in Judiciary. This, MGR said in 1973.I took his advice to heart and we all know the result. What surprised me is that he told his PA to note down my address and to send the photograph of me seeking his blessing to my address. Even now I am preserving the same in my custody.  Tell me, which leader at any place or time would be so caring as our own Makkal Thilakam ?

I am also certain that it was Thiru MGR's sound advice and grooming that had helped Madam Jayalalitha to follow his footsteps to become an able administrator in later years. I had an opportunity to serve as a Law Officer under Madams’ time when she was Chief Minister.

Even though it is more than 32 years since Thiru MGR left us, the way he reigned the film industry and politics, is still remembered with great respect.        Therefore, the gesture of renovating and preserving this house is a humble homage we are paying to him. Let us not forget that Thiru MGR took great interest in preserving Temples and historical monuments. For us, this is both a temple and a monument and we must preserve it.

It is here that Thiru. Saidai Duraisamy's efforts deserve our appreciation.  Knowing that Thiru. MGR’s ancestral house was in a dilapidated condition, he renovated it. He has preserved the antiquity of this house where Thiru. MGR’s mother           Annai Sathya Bama lived.  The pavilion set up for exhibiting rare and historic photographs of Bharat Ratna Thiru. MGR is also attractive.  The screening of films acted by Thiru MGR for the benefit  of people also merits mention.

In short, Thiru. Saidai Duraisamy has made the premises of this house a mini tourist centre by setting up an Anganvadi centre, Food court and a play area for children. This is special, since Thiru. MGR loved children very much. I must admit that all these are in tune with the Kerala Government’s idea of preserving the monuments related to cultural leaders of the State. Minister Shri A.K. Balan is actively involved in such activities now. I am happy that Shri Krishnan Kutty, Minister and son of this soil is also participating in this function.

I would like to express my profound gratitude to Thiru. Saidai Duraisamy, all the representatives of local bodies who stood by him, Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly and the people in general.

I compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind