The two terms Rajaji served as Chief Minister- 18 months in the first term during pre Independence era and 2 years during 1952 to 1954, were marked by the introduction of farsighted legislations – Prohibition during the first term which highlighted his concern for the welfare of the people, and introduction of Sales Tax in the second term, which till date is a major source of income for the States” said R Venkatesh, Executive Editor of popular Tamil weekly Kalki who was the Chief Guest at Rajai’s 137th Birth Anniversary celebrations on 12th December 2015, at Sevalaya. The Chief Guest spoke about how Rajaji was a multifaceted personality – a shrewd politician, statesman, writer, lawyer and a great thinker. He mentioned in his speech about the stories Rajaji wrote for children in Kalki magazine and said that Rajaji’s masterpiece – Ramayana (Chakravarthi Thirumagan) and Mahabharatha (Vyasar Virundhu) in simple, lucid Tamil, are both an ideal starting point for those who wish to study the two great epics.
Admirers of Rajaji, R Raghunathan, Prof. N R Ramanathan and their friends participated in the celebrations and narrated interesting anecdotes from the life of Rajaji, which highlighted the great leader’s honesty, discipline, courage, concern for the people, steadfastness in his principles, farsightedness and sense of humour.
