Rasammal Ganesan does not remember the year of her birth, but only that she is about 63 years old. What this native of Sellur village in Nagapattinam district remembers distinctly is that she got her first tattoo of ‘two leaves’ symbol along with former Chief Minister M.G.Ramachandran’s image when he was hospitalised.
On a day when all roads in the city led to University of Madras, there were many ruling party loyalists who had travelled long distances. ‘Amma’ Subramanian, is another. The 37-year-old native from Ponnamaravathi, Pudukottai district, had smeared himself with mud he had brought from Muthu Mariamman temple in his district as is custom by people offering prayers there. The supporters were well looked after, with organisers from the respective districts, arranging timely meals and snacks. “But it is the big bash back home that we are looking forward to on Sunday evening,” quipped D.Gandhi of Cuddalore. The closest the partymen could get to the venue was the Triumph of Labour statue. However, live telecast of the ceremony and earlier, the CM’s convoy by Jaya TV on giant LED screens at many spots on the Marina kept them hooked.
Hawkers were hopeful of a multi-fold increase in sales, but traffic restrictions spoilt their plans. “I had to leave behind at least 50 kg of fruits – especially papayas on Wallajah Road and instead sold only melons,” said R.Kabali of Royapuram. M.Kokila of Teynampet, who hired an auto for Rs. 100, only to be stopped on Wallajah Road. By the time she managed to get help and brought her mini onion samosas, most of the crowd had dispersed after the Chief Minister left. I just want to go home and crash out,” said K.Praveen a young policeman, who has been on duty since 6 a.m. on Friday, except for a short break early morning on Saturday, summing up how tiring it was for the few thousand policemen and women over the past two days.
