Jayalalithaa to get grand welcome in Madurai

By Devanthan Veerappan
MADURAI: With the chief minister J Jayalalithaa's visit on August 22 fast approaching, AIADMK leaders and functionaries are busy making sure all the arrangements are in place. The visit is to attend a grand felicitation ceremony organized by the party functionaries to thank the chief minister for her efforts in the Mullaperiyar dam issue.
A huge set, a miniature depicting water flow from Mullaperiyar dam to Vaigai dam, is being raised at a cost of at least Rs 30 lakh. The simulated dam surrounding by thick vegetation, with flowing water, would be the centre of attraction at the felicitation ceremony to be held on the ring road. The long fought dam issue between Tamil Nadu and Kerala ended in favor of Tamil Nadu. The water level was finally allowed to be increased to 142 feet from 136 feet.
The historic judgment has brought immense happiness to the farming community in many districts including Madurai, Dindigul and Theni. The 100-feet high dam set is expected to be completed by Wednesday. A team of artists from Chennai, who specialize in creating sets for cinemas , has been working on the model. "We have been working for the past one week on the model. Around 70 persons are involved in the work. If there is no rain interruption, the set would be ready by Wednesday. The beautification, forest-like setting and final touches may take one more day," said an artist.
Party functionaries including Sellur K Raju, minister for cooperation, will release an air balloon, carrying the CM's picture and thanking her for retrieving the state's rights on the dam, over the sky near Mattuthavani bus terminal.
A similar balloon has been placed near the felicitation ceremony area.
A helipad has been made nearby. Around five lakh people are expected to turn up for the function. A huge shamiana which can accommodate around one lakh people has been erected. The ring road stretch where the function is scheduled has already accommodated a large number of flexboards welcoming the chief minister who visits the temple city for the first time after her last visit during the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year.