Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh Unveils Commemorative Coin Honoring Kalaignar Karunanidhi’s Birth Centenary in Chennai

Chennai; Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh released a commemorative coin today to mark the birth centenary of former five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, during an event in Chennai. Describing Karunanidhi as one of the most revered leaders in Indian history, Shri Rajnath Singh lauded his contributions to Indian politics, social justice, and cultural preservation.

In his address, Shri Rajnath Singh praised Karunanidhi’s deep commitment to Tamil identity while ensuring that regionalism never threatened national unity. “Thiru Karunanidhi understood that India’s strength lies in its diversity and its federal structure, which allows this diversity to flourish within a unified framework,” he said. Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized that Karunanidhi’s advocacy for state rights and balanced power distribution within the Union was a key aspect of Indian democracy.

The Raksha Mantri highlighted Karunanidhi’s significant impact on national governance, particularly in promoting education, gender equality, and the rights of marginalized communities. He noted that Karunanidhi’s government enacted legislation to provide 33 percent reservation for women in local bodies and was instrumental in forming Women Self Help Groups. Additionally, Karunanidhi played a pivotal role in establishing welfare boards for workers in the unorganized sector, including agricultural laborers and transgender individuals.

Reflecting on Karunanidhi’s administrative acumen, Shri Rajnath Singh referred to his “Manu Nidhi Thittam” program, which dedicated one day each week for district officials to listen to people’s grievances. He praised Karunanidhi’s focus on education and infrastructure development, emphasizing that the progress of any one state contributes to the nation’s overall development. “His legacy is a reminder that regional development is integral to national development and best exemplifies the idea of cooperative federalism,” Shri Rajnath Singh added.

Shri Rajnath Singh also underscored the Government’s commitment to cooperative federalism and development, citing the establishment of Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu as prime examples. He noted that these corridors aim to strengthen India’s domestic defense manufacturing sector, reduce dependence on imports, and create a robust ecosystem for defense production.

The Raksha Mantri also recognized Kalaignar Karunanidhi’s contributions to Tamil literature and cinema, noting that his work as a writer, poet, and playwright enriched Tamil culture. “His efforts to promote the Tamil language and culture were rooted in his belief that preserving and celebrating one’s cultural identity is essential to the broader Indian identity,” he stated.