CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami inaugurated a memorial for former Chief Minister and Congress leader K. Kamaraj on Madurai-Tirunelveli National Highway, on the 117th birth anniversary of the iconic leader.

The memorial has been built on 12 acres at the entry point of Virudhunagar on Madurai-Tirunelveli National Highway. According to an official release here on Monday, Mr Palaniswami inaugurated the memorial through video-conferencing from here. The highlights of memorial include a life-size statue of Kamaraj embracing children and a 50 ft flame, it said.





Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Ministers: Kadambur C. Raju, K. T. Rajenthra Bhalaji, K. Pandiarajan, Chief Secretary Shanmugham and others participated.

Kamaraj, credited with revolutionising education in the state by ushering in the popular mid-day meal scheme to attract children to schools, hailed from Virudhunagar. Though a Congressman, Kamaraj is highly respected across party lines for his contribution to various sectors in the state as Chief Minister. He is affectionately hailed by the people as Karma Veerar and Perunthalaivar for his principles of truth, purity, honesty and service.