Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently announced a profound tribute to the legendary freedom fighter, ‘Veeramangai’ Velu Nachiyar: the Police Training School in Vellore will officially bear her name. This decision marks a significant recognition of her unparalleled contributions to the nation’s independence struggle.
The announcement coincided with the unveiling of a grand statue of Velu Nachiyar at Chennai’s historic Gandhi Mandapam, a project completed at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh. Chief Minister Stalin himself led the floral tributes, underscoring the state’s deep respect for her memory.
During the ceremony, Mr. Stalin also highlighted the DMK government’s consistent efforts to honor distinguished personalities. He specifically recalled that a tableau showcasing Velu Nachiyar’s statue was a prominent feature of the 2023 Republic Day Parade, reflecting the ongoing commitment to celebrate her legacy.
A host of dignitaries graced the event, including Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, several state Ministers such as E.V. Velu, S. Regupathy, KR. Periakaruppan, M.P. Saminathan, R.S. Rajakannappan, Ma. Subramanian, P.K. Sekarbabu, and T.R.B. Rajaa. Also in attendance were Chennai Mayor R. Priya, Members of Parliament T.R. Baalu and Thamizhachi Thangapandian, along with Members of the Legislative Assembly A.M.V. Prabhakara Raja, S. Aravind Ramesh, and K. Ganapathy, alongside other senior government officials.
Following the tribute, Chief Minister Stalin extended his engagements by visiting a public outreach camp in Ward 133 at T. Nagar, organized as part of the popular ‘Ungaludan Stalin’ initiative. He took the opportunity to interact personally with citizens, accompanied by T. Nagar MLA J. Karunanithi and other senior officials.