Legendary actor B Saroja Devi passes away
Bengaluru (PTI): Veteran South Indian Actor B Saroja Devi died here on Monday, film industry sources said. She was 87 years old.
She died due to age-related ailments at her residence in Malleswaram, Bengaluru, according to sources.
She was fondly called 'Kannadathu Paingili' (Kannada’s parrot) in Tamil.
The actor, who got her first break when she was 17 years old in Kannada film ‘Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955)’, is also known as the first female superstar of Kannada cinema.
The actor went on to win a National Award for her performance in her debut film.
Her Tamil film with another legendary actor and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M G Ramachandran, ‘Nadodi Mannan (1958)’ made her one of the top actresses of Tamil cinema.
Although she married in 1967, Saroja Devi continued to be in demand, especially in the Tamil film industry. She was also called ‘Abhinaya Saraswathi’.
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
