‘Future leaders must toe MK’s line on industrial growth’

Speaking at a function organised by the South Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) to remember the Dravidian stalwart, AC Muthiah, chairman emeritus of SPIC said, “Future political leaders of Tamil Nadu, irrespective of party they belong to, should follow Karunanidhi’s footsteps to promote industrial growth in TN.”

“Whenever any industrialist asked for an appointment, he would give it the very next day or in a few days. A good trait of Kalaignar was he never made people wait,” added Muthiah, describing Karunanidhi as a leader who realised the importance of industrial growth and development of the State. 

M Karumuttu T Kannan, chairman, Thiyagarajar Mills Limited drew DMK president Stalin’s attention to implement the recommendations of Justice Rathinavel Pandian committee, which Karunanidhi had constituted to prevent communal clashes in southern districts. Stalin was also present at the felicitation function. “The recommendations of the committee, which said industrialisation was the solution to end communal clashes, are yet to be implemented,” Kannan said. 

In his speech, Venu Srinivasan, chairman of TVS Motors lauded Karunanidhi for extending reservation to weaker sections much before the Mandal Commission and said that Karunanidhi was an unparalleled modern-day reformer who was willing to modify his views if he were given the right reasons. 

“If we follow the way he showed, TN will always be a numero uno state,” Srinivasan added.

Recalling Karunanidhi’s contributions to TN’s industrialisation, N Srinivasan, chairman, India Cements Limited said, “One of the greatest characteristics of Karunanidhi was that he understood change. The first thing he did after becoming CM for the second time in 1989 was to call every industrialist and formulate an industry document.” 

Recalling how Karunanidhi in 1996 had realized that TN had fallen behind Hyderabad and Bengaluru on the IT front, Srinivasan said the former CM formulated a IT policy and the State’s IT export rose from Rs 4 crore to Rs 30,000 crore because of his policy initiatives.