Erode (Tamil Nadu), Aug 1 (IANS) The Erode district administration has declared a local holiday on August 3 for all government offices and educational institutions in the district to commemorate the death anniversary of freedom fighter Theeran Chinnamalai.
TASMAC liquor shops in the district will also remain closed on the day.
District Collector Kandasamy announced the local holiday as part of the annual observance honouring Theeran Chinnamalai, one of Tamil Nadu’s prominent early freedom fighters who led armed resistance against the British East India Company in the Kongu region.
The holiday will cover government offices, schools, colleges and other educational institutions across Erode district. However, examinations already scheduled in schools and colleges will be conducted as planned. The holiday declaration will not apply to institutions where examinations have been announced in advance, and students have been advised to appear for them according to the existing timetable.
To compensate for the holiday, August 22 has been declared a working day for all government offices and educational institutions in Erode district.
Institutions and offices closed on August 3 will function normally on the compensatory working day. The Collector clarified that the local holiday would not apply to banks as August 3 has not been notified as a holiday under the relevant provisions governing bank holidays. Banking operations in the district are therefore expected to continue as usual.
The district treasury and subordinate treasuries will also function with a limited number of employees on August 3 to attend to urgent and essential transactions.
Theeran Chinnamalai, born Theerthagiri, emerged as an influential leader in the Kongu region and fought against British expansion during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was eventually captured by the British and executed at Sankagiri Fort on August 3, 1805.
His death anniversary is commemorated annually in Tamil Nadu, with Erode and neighbouring areas holding official functions and programmes to honour his role in the resistance against British rule.
–IANS
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