'LAND'MARK CONTRIBUTION FOR VARUSANADU

THE verdant Varusanadu, on the banks of Vaigai River, no longer resembles a lost land from Tamil literature.

-  JEYALAKSHMI RAMANUJAM

THE verdant Varusanadu, on the banks of Vaigai River, no longer resembles a lost land from Tamil literature. The power of people and their commitment to the community has given the village panchayat in Theni a new aura.

When two farmers - G Palanivel (72) and his brother-in-law MS Paramasivam (45) handed over a parcel of land (2.36 acres worth over ₹2 crore) to the Varusanadu panchayat as a gift, there was jubilation. The land will help the panchayat expand its bus stand, which has been a longstanding demand. Most publicised promises of kindness usually end up being mighty facades, but here, the change in land ownership was disclosed only after documents were handed over to the panchayat president AVS Manimuthu.

For Palanivel, it is part of a mission. A few years ago, he donated 57 cents of his land to construct a police station. Palanivel and his friends had also gifted 15 acres of land for constructing an SC colony at Cumbum as well.