Chennai: Chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Saturday announced that the state govt would celebrate both Nov 1, the day the erstwhile Madras State was formed, and July 18, the day the state assembly adopted a resolution to rename it Tamil Nadu, as Tamil Nadu Day.The announcement comes amid demands from several leaders, including PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss and NTK chief coordinator Seeman, urging the state govt to celebrate Nov 1 as Tamil Nadu Day. “The govt will celebrate both November 1, when Madras State was formed, and July 18, when the state assembly adopted the historic resolution moved by Perarignar Anna (former chief minister C N Annadurai) to name the state Tamil Nadu,” Vijay said in a post on X.Extending greetings to the people, Vijay said the resolution to rename the state reflected Tamil history, culture, language and identity. He said Tamil Nadu should strive to become India’s leading state by upholding social justice and equality while excelling in education, technology and human resource development. He also paid tribute to those who fought for the creation of Tamil Nadu and called for preserving Tamil language, culture and humanitarian values for future generations.Former chief minister M K Stalin recalled that although states were reorganised on linguistic lines in 1956, the state continued to be called Madras State despite repeated resolutions and protests. He said the historic change came after the DMK assumed office in 1967 under Annadurai. “The day Anna proclaimed Tamil Nadu in the state assembly and members responded with cries of ‘Vaazhga’ became a golden day in our history,” Stalin said.Stalin said the resolution fulfilled the aspirations of Periyar, the sacrifice of Sankaralinganar, a Congress functionary who undertook a fast unto death, and the long-standing demand of Tamil scholars and people. Leader of the Opposition, Udhayanidhi Stalin recalled the day’s significance, saying the DMK fulfilled Periyar’s long-standing aspiration by renaming the state Tamil Nadu within four months of coming to power.
