A grand library and science centre which would be would be set up in Coimbatore would be inaugurated in January 2026, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said in the Assembly on Thursday, February 22, 2024. It would be named after former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
“I would like to specifically inform [BJP legislator from Coimbatore South Assembly constituency] Ms. Vanathi Srinivasan. Unlike the [Centre’s] announcement about AIIMS in Madurai, the construction [of the library] would be completed in time. It would be inaugurated in January 2026,” Mr. Stalin said.
The invitation for the inauguration would be sent to the BJP legislator and she should attend the function without fail, the Chief Minister said.
Earlier, he pointed to the successful completion of the construction of the Kalaignar centenary library and Kalaignar centenary jallikattu arena in Madurai, Kalaignar centenary super specialty hospital and Kalaignar memorial in Chennai — all of which were completed before schedule.
Ms. Srinivasan had questioned the government over its announcement about funds and location of the grand library and science centre which was announced in the Budget speech of Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu.
Mr. Thennarasu had said the grand library and science centre would house books, magazines, literary journals, along with exhibits on various engineering and scientific streams such as astronomy, robotics, virtual reality, natural science, among others.
He added that incubation hub to nurture start-ups, and micro and small industries would be included. “This monument will act as the epitome of the rich Tamil intellectual community,” he had said.
Noting that Coimbatore was one of the fastest growing cities in India, which had a diversified industrial eco-system and passionate entrepreneurs, he said: “To kindle the quest for knowledge among citizens, especially youth, a grand library and science centre named after Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar [Karunanidhi] will be set up in Coimbatore.”
