Welcome to Thamarai Sangamam — The Grand Lotus Congregation, says the web message inviting people to participate in the two-day BJP conclave in Madurai, beginning Thursday.

The conference venue on ring road near Viraganoor that has been brought under the security net, looks impressive and is capable of accommodating about 3 lakh people.

“Through the conference, the BJP will give a call to people to reinstall the ‘golden rule’ of the Vajpayee government (in 1999),” says party state president Pon Radhakrishnan.

For one, he is very confident that the saffron party will emerge as an alternative force post-conference since it has been fighting for the genuine issues of the people.

In 1999, the people voted for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Mr A.B. Vajpayee. The Vajpayee government’s achievements had created a surge of hope and national pride. “Our Thamarai Sangamam” will surely recreate that same golden era sooner,” he adds.

The party had even created an exclusive website thamaraisangamam.com to garner support for the objective. The conference, it is said, will reflect the party’s nationalistic outlook.

For the visitors, it would offer health and livelihood tips based on traditional knowledge, showcase traditional cuisine, textiles and handicrafts and even present cultural programmes highlighting the traditional arts of Tamil Nadu.

There will also be an exhibition on the achievements of 9 BJP-ruled states and also about the party’s history and growth. It has been proposed to organise free medical check-up for all delegates on the occasion.

Thamarai Sangamam was originally scheduled for April 28 and 29 but owing to heavy downpour in Madurai, it was postponed to May 10 and 11.

Several prominent national leaders, including party president Nitin Gadkari and senior leaders L.K. Advani, M. Venkaiah Naidu, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, and chief ministers Sivraj Singh Chauhan and Sadananda Gowda would attend the first day’s deliberations. The resolutions will be discussed by council on the second day.

Diabetes check for 1 lakh people

Thamarai Sangamam, the BJP’s 5th state conference beginning Thursday in Madurai is in for a ‘healthy’ start.

The state unit of the BJP is trying to give as much importance to health as to politics during its conference.

It will perhaps emerge as the first party in Tamil Nadu to conduct a mega diabetes screening camp for one lakh people in 12 hours and attempt to enter into Limca Book of World Records.

In association with Vellore-based MedZon Hospitals, the national party is conducting the camp at the conference venue from 7 am to 7 pm.

BJP state medical cell secretary and Medzon Hospitals chairman Dr V.Aravinth Reddy said, “We are set to enter into the Limca Book of World Records by screening at least one lakh people attending the conference for diabetes.”

Camp organiser Dr Amali Rajeshwari said 20 cabins have been put up in the venue along Ring Road.
Ten doctors from the hospital will be offer consultation services to those who test positive for diabetes while two chief diabetologists including Dr Reddy will monitor the activities.

“The Limca authorities have sent us the guidelines and we are expecting their squad anytime on Thursday. The entire event will be videographed,” she said.

According to her, no hospital has conducted diabetes screening for one lakh people in 12 hours.
“At the most, they would have screened only 30,000 people,” Dr Rajeshwari said.

Besides, there are three inpatient doctors for a general ward which has five beds to attend to people visiting the conference falling sick.

A local doctor has been made available for outpatient consultation. Blood donation camp will also be held in association with Sivan regional blood bank.