Chennai, Apr 5 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin today inaugurated Periyar Samathuvapurams (equality habitats)–named after social reformer Periyar–and said the entire country should become a Samathuvapuram so that all hurdles created by caste and religion were eradicated. Speaking after inaugurating the Periyar Samathuvapuram at Kozhuvari and launching new welfare projects at Ozhanthiyapattu near Vanur in Villupuram district, he said the concept of Samathuvapuram was conceived by late DMK Leader and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in 1997 to ensure an egalitarian society. He said the Tamil Nadu’s Samathuvapuram model should be an example for the rest of the country to emulate. “The Tamil Nadu government is committed to equal development and equal opport ties for all,” he said. Stressing the need for the country to emerge as a Samathuvapuram, he said Tamil Nadu and its Dravidian model would show the way to achieve this goal. “All should work together to make Tamil Nadu’s Samathuvapuram model as an example for the rest of the country,” he added. He said the government had planned to establish 298 Samathuvapurams across the State and allocated funds for it. However, the successive AIADMK regimes not only abandoned the scheme, but also failed to maintain the existing ones. “As Kalaignar’s son, I have now inaugurated the Samathuvapuram in this district,” Stalin said, adding, during the last ten years of AIADMK rule Tamil Nadu remained a dark period as the Samathuvapurams were totally neglected. He said funds were being allotted to revive the Samathuvapurams in the State. The Chief Minister also inaugurated infrastructure projects to the tune of Rs 24 crore and distributed welfare assistance to the tune of Rs 42.70 crore to 10,722 beneficiaries. GV 1637