more-in The Tamil Nadu government must take steps to close down all liquor shops in the State, said P. Chinnapillai, who has been bestowed with the State government’s Avvaiyar award on Wednesday for her three decades of work in upliftment of women in rural areas. Ms. Chinnapillai, who met the media here on Thursday, said that alcoholism had become a major issue and drinking habit was ruining a large number of families. “I have personally seen many men dying at an young age due to alcoholism and their families are suffering now,” she added. Could not talk to CM She said that she wanted to speak about this issue with Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami after receiving the award from him on Wednesday, but was not allowed to talk at the function. She said that usury also continued to be a major issue affecting people in villages. “Today many non-governmental organisations, in the name of social work, are actually indulging in lending money at exorbitant interest rates,” she alleged. Ms. Chinnapillai, who shot to fame when former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee touched her feet while presenting her Stree Shakti Puraskar award, is presently the president of People’s Leader Development Board that is part of DHAN Kalanjiyam Mutual Movement. Long association She has long been associated with that movement, which is reportedly working with 16 lakh families in 14 States for their socio-economic development with focus on gender equity. Thanking the movement for the contributions she was able to make to the society, Ms. Chinnapillai dedicated the award to all the women who are part of the movement. P. Vasimalai, Executive Director of DHAN Foundation, N. Shanthi Maduresan, Chief Executive Officer, DHAN Kalanjiyam Mutual Movement, and P. Ochammal, national president of the movement, congratulated Ms. Chinnapillai for getting the award.

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