Si Pa Aditanar’s 118th birth anniversary observed

CHENNAI: Cutting across party lines, political leaders including Chief Minister MK Stalin and Opposition Leader Edappadi K Palaniswami heaped rich praises on Daily Thanthi founder Si Pa Aditanar on the occasion of his 118th birth anniversary, on Tuesday.

“Si Pa Aditanar stood by truth for the development of society. His journalism took progressive thoughts to the common people. He proved truth was the essence of journalism,” said the Chief Minister.

EPS said the Daily Thanthi founder played a crucial role in the upliftment of the society and contributed to the development of the Tamil language and also the community as a whole. “Through his long-term vision, he pioneered the development of print journalism,” he added.

Former AIADMK leader VK Sasikala recalled Si Pa Aditanar’s role in delivering information to the common man and added that he played a pivotal role in the development of Tamil society. PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss also showered praises remembering the Daily Thanthi founder.

Aditanar’s grandson S Balasubramanian Adityan, Director, Daily Thanthi group, and great-grandson and Daily Thanthi group Director B Sivanthi Adityan, and Malai Murasu Managing Director R Kannan paid floral tributes to the founder.

The State government also observed Aditanar’s birth anniversary as a State function. Health Minister Ma Subramanian, Information Minister MP Saminathan, IT Minister Mano Thangaraj and Fisheries Minister Anitha Radhakrishnan represented the government and paid floral tribute to his statue at Egmore.

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Chennai Mayor R Priya, Lok Sabha MP Giri Rajan, Egmore MLA I Paranthaman and senior officials from the Information Department were among those who paid respect to the Daily Thanthi founder. Aditanar’s birth anniversary was also observed in his native, Tiruchendur, and other parts of Thoothukudi district.