: Freedom fighter V O Chidambaram Pillai (popularly known as VOC), one who gave the first indigenous shipping service to Sri Lanka from Tuticorin, was remembered on his 143rd birth anniversary today.
A large number of his followers and relatives paid floral tributes to the portrait and the bullock operated oil press he used while in captivity during British rule, kept in the Central Prison here.
His grandson Tamilvanan, a senior official in the Agricultural University, reiterated his appeal to name Avanashi Road in the city after his grandfather.
Besides, the oil press should be shifted to VOC Park in the heart of the city and also a statue erected at the park, he said.
A Puducherry report said Assembly Speaker V Sabapathy today paid glowing tributes at the statue of the veteran freedom fighter.
Welfare and Tourism Minister P Rajavelu, Electricity and Education Minister T Thiagarajan, legislators and delegates of various organisations were among those present.
Opposition Congress leader A Namassivayam led partymen to pay homage at the portrait of VOC at the party office.
