Despite various mandates, personalities like K Kamaraj, M Karunanidhi, J Jayalalithaa and M K Stalin had made industrial development their top priority. The Kothari Group, which recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu government, saw history repeat itself. A trip down memory lane will put this in perspective. When Kamaraj was Chief Minister, he had reportedly requested late D C Kothari to consider setting up a factory in Ennore to create jobs in the region. Fast forward to now. Phoenix Kothari Footwear, an associate company of KICL has signed a pact with the Tamil Nadu government to invest Rs 1000 crore in a non-leather footwear manufacturing facility in the backward district of Ramanathapuram. The project is expected to create 10,000 jobs. According to Rafiq Ahmed, Chairman, the company chose the location as Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay wanted a project in the backward region. The request came after Vijay laid the foundation stone for Phase II of the manufacturing facility of Evervan Kothari Footwear at Karur to make Adidas shoes. The venture is set to bring another major global brand to be made in Tamil Nadu. The Ramnad project is yet another example of how the state government and industries can join hands to bring about a change and ensure development of backward regions.
