PM Modi pays tribute to MGR, inaugurates Chennai-Kevadiya train in election year

PM Narendra Modi had announced at a public meeting in March 2019 in state capital that the Chennai Central railway station would be renamed after MGR following a request by the AIADMK-led government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday flagged off trains to the statue of unity in Gujarat, from eight places across the country including Chennai, and paid glowing tributes to former Tamil Nadu chief minister M G Ramachandran on his 104th birth anniversary.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was effusive in his praise of ADMK founder. (PTI photo)

Modi inaugurated the Chennai-Kevadiya Superfast Weekly Special Train from the Puratchi Thailavar Dr MGR Chennai Central railway station via video-conferencing.

The PM paid tributes to former Tamil Nadu chief minister and ADMK founder (later AIADMK) M G Ramachandran (MGR) on his 104th birth anniversary, which also falls on Sunday, while inaugurating the train. "It is a pleasant coincidence that today is the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna MGR. His life was dedicated to the service of the poor," Modi said. “We all are working towards fulfilling his dreams.”

Modi had announced at a public meeting in Chennai in March 2019 that the Chennai Central railway station would be renamed after MGR following a request by the AIADMK-led government.

Modi also tweeted his wishes in Tamil and English today, on MGR’s birth anniversary. "Bharat Ratna MGR lives in the hearts of several people. Be it the world of films or politics, he was widely respected. During his tenures as the CM, he made numerous efforts towards poverty alleviation and also emphasised on women empowerment. Tributes to MGR on his Jayanti," his tweet read.