Vice-President Lays Foundation for 150-Foot VOC Statue in Madurai
150-Foot VOC Statue Foundation Laid in Madurai

Vice-President Lays Foundation for 150-Foot VOC Statue in Madurai

Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday laid the foundation stone for a monumental 150-foot statue of freedom fighter V O Chidambaram Pillai, popularly known as VOC, at Amma Thidal in Vandiyur, Madurai. The ceremony marked a significant step in honoring the legacy of the revered independence activist.

Project Details and Significance

The Rs10 crore statue is being erected by ACS Arakattalai, an organization founded by New Justice Party (Puthiya Needhi Katchi) founder-president A C Shanmugam. The statue will be installed on a ship-structured building that will also house a library, situated on a sprawling 3-acre plot of land. The project is scheduled for completion within 18 months.

Upon completion, this statue will become the tallest in Tamil Nadu, surpassing the 133-foot Thiruvalluvar statue in Kanyakumari. A C Shanmugam announced that an annual guru pooja will be observed at the statue, for which a dedicated mandapam will be constructed on the premises.

Vice-President's Address and Historical Context

Speaking at the event, Vice-President Radhakrishnan paid tribute to V O Chidambaram Pillai's selfless sacrifice and highlighted how the first seeds of freedom were sown in this soil by him. He addressed a common misconception regarding VOC's nickname, "Chekkizhutha Semmal" (The Great Man Who Pulled the Oil Press).

"Many people imagine that he may have pulled a wooden oil press. Such people must visit Coimbatore prison and see the stone oil press kept there," Radhakrishnan noted, urging the public to understand the historical reality behind VOC's struggles.

The Vice-President also assured attendees that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be invited to unveil the statue once it is completed, emphasizing the national importance of this tribute.

Resolutions Passed During the Ceremony

Five significant resolutions were passed during the event, reflecting the collective desire to further honor VOC's contributions:

  1. One resolution urged the Union government to bestow the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, upon V O Chidambaram Pillai.
  2. Another resolution sought the installation of a full-length statue of VOC in the Parliament complex as a symbol of his patriotism and dedication to the nation.
  3. A third resolution called upon the Tamil Nadu government to purchase the house where VOC lived in Perambur, Chennai, and convert it into a memorial dedicated to his life and work.

Distinguished Attendees and Additional Events

The ceremony was attended by a host of notable figures, including Arakattalai trustee ACS Ravikumar, veteran actor Sivakumar, director Sundar C, Union Minister L Murugan, BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran, Sengol Atheenam, and Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president N Jegatheesan, among others.

Earlier in the day, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, accompanied by Nainar Nagenthran, visited the Thirukoshtiyur Sowmya Narayana Perumal temple in Sivaganga district, where he offered prayers. He also paid floral tribute to the statue of Rani Velu Nachiyar, further connecting with the region's historical and cultural heritage.

This project not only aims to create a physical monument but also to revive and celebrate the enduring legacy of V O Chidambaram Pillai, whose contributions to India's freedom struggle continue to inspire generations.