At a prize distribution event in Chennai’s Arivalayam auditorium, organized by the DMK Youth Wing to commemorate the centenary of Karunanidhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin addressed the gathering, reflecting on the history and values of the DMK party.
Speaking about the nature of the DMK, Stalin said, “The DMK is a party that grew through speech; in those days, it was a movement that captured power by addressing the people.” However, he emphasized that DMK’s speeches were not mere embellishments. “Our words were not just flowery rhetoric; we spoke about revolutionary histories from around the world, the lives of great intellectuals, and the injustices prevalent in our country. We addressed issues like superstitions, regressive ideas, and women’s oppression. Speech, as an art, is powerful and can create a profound impact on society,” he said.
Stalin also highlighted the significance of the speech competition, explaining that it was not only a contest to choose winners but a workshop to identify and mentor future speakers who would carry the ideals of DMK forward into the next century.
He lauded Sudarshana, a student from Namakkal, who said in her speech, “The oppressed people raised their heads because they first lowered them to study.” Her words, he noted, were a strong retort to those who try to demean others and reminded him of the style of response for which Karunanidhi was known.
Chief Minister Stalin encouraged young speakers to connect with people through clarity and a pleasant tone, capturing interest with novelty in ideas, content, and delivery. “The message should be fresh, the taste new, the information unique, and the delivery style engaging,” he advised.