LIVE: உதகை தாவரவியல் பூங்கா சாலையில் 'ஜான் சல்லிவன்' அவர்களின் சிலைத்திறப்பு https://t.co/uMeeSMUgxJ

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin unveiled a commemorative bronze statue of John Sullivan on Botanical Garden Road in Udhagamandalam, marking the historic bicentenary of the renowned hill town. The live broadcast showed the ceremony attended by cabinet ministers, Nilgiris district officials, and civic leaders. John Sullivan, who served as the British Collector of Coimbatore in the early nineteenth century, is widely credited with establishing modern Udhagamandalam by surveying the upper plateau, introducing horticulture, and constructing Ooty Lake.

In his address, Stalin reflected on the historical significance of Sullivan's administrative work while recognizing the invaluable contributions of indigenous tribal populations like the Todas, Kotas, Kurumbas, and Badagas who inhabited the plateau for millennia. The Chief Minister noted that the memorial statue serves to honor historical heritage while educating visiting tourists and local youth about the origins and evolution of the Nilgiris hill station.

Stalin inspected the renovated public plaza and botanical landscaping developed around the memorial installation. He reaffirmed that the Tamil Nadu government remains firmly committed to preserving the historic charm, biodiversity, and cultural heritage of the Nilgiris hills for future generations.