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Title: Need to name the new Madurai Airport as “Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar Airport” in memory of late shri M. Thevar, a renowned freedom fighter and reputed labour leader.
SHRI N.S.V. CHITTHAN (DINDIGUL): Madurai is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. This temple city is widely known for its cultural, architectural towers and statues from time immemorial. A new airport building is being constructed at a cost of Rs.125 crore very near the existing airport. This new airport with all modern facilities with aero-bridges will be ready for international traffic within the next six months.
This new airport should be named as “Pasumpon Muthramalinga Thevar Airport” in memory of late Shri Thevar. Shri Muthuramalinga Thevar was born in 1908 and died in October 1963. Fascinated by the influence of Mahatma Gandhi, he joined Congress and fought vehemently against the alien rulers and was imprisoned many times. He fought relentlessly for the cause of down-trodden and the most backward communities. He was a reputed labour leader.
He was elected to Parliament and the Madras Legislative Assembly simultaneously more than twice. In the year 1971, his cemetery in Pasumpon was converted into an official memorial. Shri Thevar was an icon in the political life in Tamil Nadu.
To honour his memory, Government of India had earlier issued commemorative stamp.
It would be a fitting memory to name the new Airport of Madurai as Pasumpon Muthramalinga Thevar Airport.