Chennai, Jan 27: The posthumous conferral of the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour in India, upon the late DMDK founder Vijayakant, was deemed a belated yet esteemed acknowledgment by his party. DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakant expressed her gratitude to the Union government for the recognition, even though she noted that receiving the honor during Vijayakant’s lifetime would have been met with immense joy.Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Premalatha shared that the Ministry of Home Affairs had informed her on Thursday morning about the decision to confer the Padma Bhushan on the late leader. Premalatha dedicated the award to the people of Tamil Nadu, the Tamil diaspora, and the dedicated cadre and functionaries of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).
The late DMDK founder, affectionately known as Captain Vijayakant, was laid to rest with full state honours at the party headquarters in Koyambedu last month. Thousands of people had lined up to pay their last respects, reflecting the widespread impact of his leadership in Tamil Nadu.
Premalatha, in a recent announcement, revealed the establishment of the “Vallal Vijayakant Memorial Annadhanam Trust.” The trust aims to uphold the ideals of the late leader by providing free food to those in need. This initiative aligns with Captain Vijayakant’s commitment to social welfare and community service.
The party headquarters continues to be a place of homage, with people from various walks of life paying their respects to the late leader. The Padma Bhushan serves as a posthumous recognition of Vijayakant’s contributions to society, politics, and the people of Tamil Nadu.