The Gujarat government Monday extended a formal invitation to Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami for the inauguration of the world's tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in that state on October 31.

A team led by Gujarat minister Ganpat Vasava, who holds Tribal Development and Tourism portfolios among others, extended invitation to Purohit, besides the chief minister.

They met Palaniswami at the Secretariat in Chennai to extend the invitation to attend the unveiling of the 'Statue of Unity,' an official release said.

The Gujarat minister was accompanied by party MP Kirit Solanki and a couple of state Legislators, it said.

Later, speaking to reporters, Vasava recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision as then chief minister of Gujarat to honour Patel, following which the idea of 'Statue of Unity' came up.

Modi had laid the foundation stone for the project on October 31, 2013.

The 'Statue of Unity' dedicated to Patel, India's first Home Minister, is touted to be the tallest in the world at 182 metres.

He said the making of the statue involved 70,000 tonnes of cement and 18,500 tonnes of steel.

The initiative would also enable employment opportunities for 15,000 people.

Being built at a cost of Rs 2,389 crore at Sadhu Bet island on Narmada river, the statue is set to be unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31 on the occasion of Sardar Patel's birth anniversary. 
&nbsp;

The Gujarat government Monday extended a formal invitation to Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami for the inauguration of the world's tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in that state on October 31.

The Gujarat government Monday extended a formal invitation to Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami for the inauguration of the world's tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in that state on October 31. A team led by Gujarat minister Ganpat Vasava, who holds Tribal Development and Tourism portfolios among others, extended invitation to Purohit, besides the chief minister. They met Palaniswami at the Secretariat in Chennai to extend the invitation to attend the unveiling of the 'Statue of Unity,' an official release said. The Gujarat minister was accompanied by party MP Kirit Solanki and a couple of state Legislators, it said. Later, speaking to reporters, Vasava recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision as then chief minister of Gujarat to honour Patel, following which the idea of 'Statue of Unity' came up. Modi had laid the foundation stone for the project on October 31, 2013. The 'Statue of Unity' dedicated to Patel, India's first Home Minister, is touted to be the tallest in the world at 182 metres. He said the making of the statue involved 70,000 tonnes of cement and 18,500 tonnes of steel. The initiative would also enable employment opportunities for 15,000 people. Being built at a cost of Rs 2,389 crore at Sadhu Bet island on Narmada river, the statue is set to be unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31 on the occasion of Sardar Patel's birth anniversary.

Gujarat government invites Tamil Nadu CM for inauguration of Vallabhbhai Patel Statue

The ruling AIADMK today announced E Madhusudhanan as its candidate for the December 21 Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly by-poll.

His name was finalised from a list of aspirants, who had applied expressing willingness to contest the by-poll, a party release here said.

Madhusudhanan, the party&#39;s Presidium Chairman, was the AIADMK&#39;s &quot;unanimous&quot; choice, the release from party coordinator and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami said.

DMK&#39;s M Maruthu Ganesh and sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran are also in the fray.

The by-poll was earlier scheduled to be held on April 12. However, the polls were rescinded by the Election Commission following complaints of money distribution.

Madhusudhanan was then the candidate of the Panneerselvam-led rival AIADMK faction, while Dhinakaran was contesting on the then AIADMK (Amma) camp.

The factions led by Panneerselvam and Palaniswami later merged in August even as the Election Commission awarded the &#39;Two Leaves&#39; symbol to the unified AIADMK.

The RK Nagar seat fell vacant last December following the death of local MLA and then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016.

Madhusudhanan, the party's Presidium Chairman, was the AIADMK's 'unanimous' choice, said Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami

The ruling AIADMK today announced E Madhusudhanan as its candidate for the December 21 Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly by-poll. His name was finalised from a list of aspirants, who had applied expressing willingness to contest the by-poll, a party release here said. Madhusudhanan, the party's Presidium Chairman, was the AIADMK's "unanimous" choice, the release from party coordinator and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami said. DMK's M Maruthu Ganesh and sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran are also in the fray. The by-poll was earlier scheduled to be held on April 12. However, the polls were rescinded by the Election Commission following complaints of money distribution. Madhusudhanan was then the candidate of the Panneerselvam-led rival AIADMK faction, while Dhinakaran was contesting on the then AIADMK (Amma) camp. The factions led by Panneerselvam and Palaniswami later merged in August even as the Election Commission awarded the 'Two Leaves' symbol to the unified AIADMK. The RK Nagar seat fell vacant last December following the death of local MLA and then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016.

AIAMDK names Madhusudhanan as candidate for RK Nagar by-poll

Tamil Nadu government has pressed into service 601 medical teams to cater to people in rain-affected areas in different parts of the state, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Sunday.

Already, 401 medical camps were in place in affected parts of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/14-dead-in-chennai-floods-23497">Chennai</a>, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Nagapattinam district among others, he said after flagging off an additional 200 medical teams, taking the number to 601.

&ldquo;The government has taken special care to press 601 medical teams into service to attend to people affected by the rain,&rdquo; he said.

These medical camps will be useful to prevent the spread of diseases that come up during the monsoon time, he said and urged people to immediately visit the nearest medical camps if they had any symptoms of illness.

Further, systems were in place to check the amount of chlorine in drinking water, he said and underlined his government&rsquo;s commitment to ensuring public health in such times of monsoon.

North-East monsoon has been active in Tamil Nadu, with Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts receiving torrential rains since last week.

Many parts of these districts have suffered from an inundation of low-lying areas and water-logging.

North-East monsoon has been active in Tamil Nadu, with Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts receiving torrential rains since last week.

Tamil Nadu government has pressed into service 601 medical teams to cater to people in rain-affected areas in different parts of the state, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Sunday. Already, 401 medical camps were in place in affected parts of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Nagapattinam district among others, he said after flagging off an additional 200 medical teams, taking the number to 601. “The government has taken special care to press 601 medical teams into service to attend to people affected by the rain,” he said. These medical camps will be useful to prevent the spread of diseases that come up during the monsoon time, he said and urged people to immediately visit the nearest medical camps if they had any symptoms of illness. Further, systems were in place to check the amount of chlorine in drinking water, he said and underlined his government’s commitment to ensuring public health in such times of monsoon. North-East monsoon has been active in Tamil Nadu, with Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts receiving torrential rains since last week. Many parts of these districts have suffered from an inundation of low-lying areas and water-logging.

Over 600 medical teams to help rain victims: Tamil Nadu CM