Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a commemorative coin in Tamil Nadu to mark the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola I. This action followed a request from R. Komagan, Chairman of the Gangaikondacholapuram Development Council Trust. Modi also took part in a roadshow in Tiruchirappalli.
In his address at Tiruchirappalli, PM Modi lauded the Chola Empire, recognizing it as a pinnacle of Indian history and a foundation of democracy. He contrasted the Chola’s ancient democratic practices with the later-developed Magna Carta. The Prime Minister also noted the Chola kings’ diplomatic and commercial ties with areas including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Southeast Asia. Modi mentioned his recent return from the Maldives and his participation in the ceremony.
PM Modi discussed bringing Gangajal from Kashi and its relevance to the Chola legacy, connecting it to the ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative. Furthermore, he paid tribute to the spiritual atmosphere of the region and expressed his personal connection with the traditions, referencing his role as a representative from Kashi.