Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Nov 4 : DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has expressed relief that the Periyar Arivulagam and Science Centre in Coimbatore was almost complete before the change of government in the state.
Stalin said nearly 99.75 per cent of the project had been completed before the TVK government, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, came to power. He suggested that the project might have been abandoned if the previous DMK government had left it unfinished.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the newly inaugurated facility, Stalin said he was happy that the library named after social reformer Thanthai Periyar (E V Ramasamy) had been completed.
His remarks come amid DMK allegations that the Vijay-led government is delaying or abandoning several infrastructure projects launched during the previous DMK regime.
Later, addressing a public meeting at VOC Grounds in Coimbatore, Stalin criticised Chief Minister Vijay over his alleged dependence on an astrologer for administrative and personal decisions.
Stalin questioned whether the astrologer was advising Vijay on matters such as his choice of clothes, office location, tilak and dates for official programmes. He also mocked the Chief Minister’s alleged reliance on astrology for selecting his attire and scheduling government events.
Stalin Highlights DMK’s Focus on Libraries and Knowledge Centres
During his visit to Periyar Arivulagam, Stalin was accompanied by Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani. He said he wanted similar libraries and knowledge centres to be established across Tamil Nadu.
Stalin recalled that the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai was established during the tenure of his father and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
He also highlighted the Kalaignar Centenary Library in Madurai, which was established during his tenure as Chief Minister under the Dravidian model of governance.
Stalin further mentioned that the previous DMK government had issued orders to establish a library named after Quaid-e-Millat in Tirunelveli. He added that construction of the K Kamaraj Library in Tiruchirappalli was nearing completion and that it would be inaugurated soon.
He appealed to students and young people to visit Periyar Arivulagam to understand the history of the Dravidian movement, its principles and Periyar’s contribution to social reform.
Periyar Arivulagam Library and Science Centre: Key Features
The Periyar Arivulagam and Science Centre was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on October 16 in Coimbatore.
The facility has been developed as a major educational and knowledge centre with modern infrastructure and facilities for students, researchers and the general public.
Key features of the complex include:
- A 356-seat auditorium.
- A library with facilities for persons with disabilities.
- A 90-seat planetarium.
- Around one lakh books covering different subjects.
- Books on Tamil and English literature, mathematics, science, engineering, medicine, law, sociology, management and technology.
- Parking space for 130 cars and 450 two-wheelers.
- Escalators and elevators.
- A sewage treatment plant.
- Drinking water and toilet facilities.
The centre aims to promote education, scientific awareness and knowledge of the Dravidian movement among students and the public.
