Bharathiar's birthday celebrations
University officials, representatives from the three wings of the armed forces, the police, and freedom fighters seen in front of the newly inaugurated 60 ft flagpole at Bharathiar University in the city on Tuesday to commemorate Bharathiar’s 125th birth anniversary.Bharathiar University paid homage to poet Subramania Bharathi on his 125th birth anniversary by erecting a 60 ft high flagpole on its campus on Tuesday. It was inaugurated by K. Dharmalingam, adopted son of freedom fighter Tirupur Kumaran, by hoisting the National Flag. He was assisted by freedom fighter Mayandi Bharathi.Representatives of the three wings of the armed forces – Air Commodore D. Mukundan, Commandant, Air Force Administrative College, Colonel O.S. Yadhav, Commanding Officer, 110 Infantry Battalion (TA) Madras, and Commander K. Jayaraman, Senior Educational Officer, INS Agrani, were present, besides the university officials.Reminiscing his Freedom fighting days, Mr. Mayandi brought back memories of his prison days alongside other freedom fighters. “There is nothing greater than freedom. Nobody could have understood it better than us. If you are able to get good education and employment, it is thanks to the freedom you enjoy,” he said.
He attributed the spirit of freedom that the country enjoyed now to the armed forces. “We never appreciate their work, because we do not know what they do. But, they are the ones who are guarding our body, belongings and our loved ones. They are awake when we are asleep. Without them we cannot have a peaceful sleep.”Extolling the ideals and virtues of Bharathiar, he said that the poet would be very happy to know that “all our children are getting education, especially the girls.” He asked the youth to follow the ideals of Bharathiar and take as role models good nationalists to become good citizens.
K. Rajendran, Inspector General of Police, West Zone, said that a large number of people from Tirunelveli took active part in the Freedom movement. “Even though Bharathiar died young, the impact of his poems on society is very strong. He did not write poems for the sake of poetry but to instil patriotism and the fervour of nationalism. It is a matter of pride that he is being remembered by a university in Coimbatore.”Mr. Rajendran distributed prizes to the winners of the drawing competition that was held for school children on December 9. Children up to Standard V took part in the competition with the theme “Bharathiar’s Dreams Come True.”Vice-Chancellor G. Thiruvasagam, and Registrar P. Thirumalvalavan, spoke.
