Thread by @sumirti

Not that I am a supporter of DMK (I am not a supporter of ADMK as well). But a tweet on things #Kalaignar did for TN:
1. He is the one who brought a law giving women the rights to claim share in the ancestoral property, equal to men, even before India passed a law at the centre.

2. The 69% reservation in Tamil Nadu in the educational system that is so inclusive to provide all the castes a chance to study is a boon and a major reason for the IT boom in this state. (I am for reservation. And this tweet is not for discussions on reservation).

3. He took steps to bring more IT companies in TN. Not just in Chennai but equally in Tier II and Tier III cities. He did it even before the other states were wondering what IT could actually do to the economy.

4. The first class public insurance scheme he brought in which is still called as 'Kalaignar Kaapittu Thittam'. I have audited various hospitals, private including, and have seen first hand how this insurance helps the poor everyday.

5. He did away with the necessity to follow Hindu rituals for a wedding and passed a law to state that a simple registration would do for sealing a marriage (this drastically reduced the costs that need to be spent on wedding rituals and altered the culture).

6. The first graduate scheme which gave free education for the first graduate from a family. This is very important because it states 'first graduate' and does not differentiate on the basis of gender. Uplifted a lot of families from poverty.

7. He did away with rickshaws that was pulled in hand. Similarly, did away with the peddling rickshaw. This is to state that no man is beneath the other and singularly did away with the rickshaws while providing alternative income to them.

8. He is first one to bring a proper waste management system in Tamil Nadu. Also, to bring in policies to implement proper waste disposal system.

He singularly opposed Emergency and said a 'No' to Indira Gandhi & didn't arrest Kamarajar (Go read history). This irked her, she dismissed the DMK government then & she jailed many party members. Still, he stood ground. TN was peaceful during Emergency. Few states to remain so.

Beyond this all, that there was a CM to this state who pronounced atheism and still won elections is a fact and history that should make us all proud. For it is in that stands the India which the founding fathers of our country dreamt.

Last but not the least, I still remember what my grandfather, a self made man, a master weaver who amassed wealth, & who wasn't allowed inside schools told me, "Without Periyar & Kalaignar, we (OBCs) wouldn't be able to attend schools today. You are able to read, thanks to them."