Aiyar promises to introduce 'Secular Express'

Union Panchayati Raj Minister and Congress candidate for Mayiladuthurai Lok Sabha constituency Mani Shankar Aiyar has promised to introduce a new train called "Secular Express' to connect his constituency with pilgrim centres of different religions in the state.

 Addressing an election campaign meeting here today, Aiyar said if elected he would strive to introduce 'Secular Express' connecting Mayiladuthurai, home of several famous Hindu temples with famous Christian pilgrim centre Velankanni near Nagapattinam as well as the Muslim prilgrim centre, 'Nagore Dargah' in Nagore.   

He said he would accord priority to the new rail project which would also cover Tirukkadaiyur, Tarangambadi and Karaikal which have famous Hindu temples.   

He said that various industries were coming up in the constituency through the 'rural business hub' (RBH) scheme, a public-private venture, which utilised locally available resources and skills to produce goods for the domestic and international markets.  Already many farmers have set up sericulture units in Mayiladuthurai, he said.    

Mayiladuthurai has tremendous scope for making soft toys he said and promised to help people in rual areas to set up units to make the toys under RBH.Aiyar said he would initiate steps to set up computer BPO units here to generate large scale employment for the educated youth.