Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa announced that a statue of Tamizh Thai (Mother Tamil) similar to the Statue of Liberty will be erected in Madurai. The statue will cost Rs. 100 crores. She said that Madurai has been chosen as it was the seat of the Tamil Sangam era in ancient history.
Speaking at the Assembly on Tuesday, Ms. Jayalalithaa said, ‘The statue for Thamizh Thaai would reflect the civilisation, culture, literary wealth and architectural skills of Tamils… A Thamizh Thaai Poonga, a park representing the five eco-zones of ancient Tamils — Kurinchi, Mullai,
Neithal, Paalai and Marudham and the flora specific to each of these zones as mentioned in the Sangam literature would also be set up around the grand statue.’