Chennai: Trade body CII today paid tribute to late DMK President M Karunanidhi, saying the country has lost a great visionary, dynamic and inspiring leader who worked for the uplift of the underprivileged.
During Karunanidhi’s tenure as Chief Minister over many terms, industrial growth in Tamilnadu progressed remarkably well, CII president Rakesh Bharti Mittal said in a statement.
“CII has worked closely under the guidance and leadership of the former chief minister. Several key initiatives were taken through his inspirational direction and strong encouragement,” he said.
Mittal referred to the programmes where CII had partnered with the government during the DMK regime, which included development of IT parks in Tier II cities and setting up of the ICT Academy.
“Industry in the state will always miss his towering personality and erudite guidance,” he said.
Apollo Hospitals founder-chairman Dr Prathap Reddy said “Tamilnadu has lost one of its finest leaders and a visionary social reformist.”
“He (Karunanidhi) was more than just a politician, and he used his writing and oratorical skills to further social and rationalist ideals which he believed in and stood for,” Reddy said.
Terming Karunanidhi’s death a “personal loss” to him, Reddy said, “he was always a supporter of my efforts to build India’s first corporate hospital.”
“His words that Apollo Hospitals had become synonymous with the word ‘Hospital’ and the name Apollo had become a symbol of modern healthcare in India gave me tremendous motivation. I shall be forever grateful for his encouragement that helped me succeed in the face of challenges,” he said.
