After a gap of 23 years, the Tamil Nadu government organised Government Trade Fair at Magaranonbu Pottal ground here, showcasing various welfare schemes being implemented by the government.
Minister for Information and Publicity Kadambur Raju inaugurated the fair in the presence of Minister for Khadi and Village Industries board G. Baskaran and Collector S. Malarvizhi at a function on Sunday evening.
After inaugurating the fair, the Ministers, accompanied by party office bearers and officials, visited the MGR pavilion, set up by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), displaying rare photographs of the late leader, coinciding with the centenary celebrations.
The various government departments have set up 27 pavilions in the fair, while private players set up shops, amusements parks and organised entertainment events to attract the public. The pavilions set up by various departments showcased in detail, the schemes being implemented by them.
Addressing the function, Mr. Baskaran said this was the 187th government trade fair and was organised here after a gap of 23 years. The last fair was organised in September 1994, he said adding the fair would be open for 45 days.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Raju said the government has earned a total revenue of ₹ 37.65 crore after conducting 186 trade fairs. The fair was organised here after 23 years, he said and appealed to the public to visit the fair. The district became an independent district in 1984 and Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar, the first Indian queen who fought against the British, hailed from the district, he said. She was ably supported by Kuyili, her lieutenant and Marudhu brothers.
This part of the district was famous for Kalayarkoil, Pillayarpatti Vinayagar temple, Chettinad palaces, Alagappa University and the memorial of poet and lyricist Kaviarasu Kannadasan, he said. The entry tickets have been fixed at ₹ 15 for adults, ₹ 10 for children and ₹ 5 for school students.