Celebrating the 146 birth anniversary of VO.Chidambaram Pillai -aka -Kappolotiya Tamizhan, number of social organizations including VOC Peravai, Kalai Illakiya Peravai, garlanded the wood press (mara chekku) which was pulled by the freedom fighter in Coimbatore central prison when he was incarcerated in the prison between 1908-1910.
VO Chidambaram Pillai have under gone rigorous imprisonment during the colonial era for running Swedeshi Steam shipping company, and the colonial rulers subjected him to third degree punishments and made him pull the wood oil press in the prison.
The wood oil press is kept as a souvenir of sacrifice after Indian attained independence and the memory of the great freedom fighter is perpetuated by garlanding the statue and the wood press in the prison complex.
While briefing the media, Senthil Kumar, Superintendent of Prisons said that "Every year the birth anniversary of the great leader VO Chidambaram is celebrated with great respect at the Coimbatore Central Prison".
"A 24- hour ambulance facility would be made available in the prison soon to meet the medical emergency of convicts imprisoned in the prison. And, also Jammers would be installed in the prison premises to prevent convicts using cell phone and departmental action would be initiated on prison staff helping prisoners after getting graft" he added.