The fatal road mishap of ‘Poor friendly Minister Mariam Pichai’ is a crude shock to entire Trichy-Women SHG federations

Tiruchirapalli, May 23: In a tragic incident, newly sworn-in Tamil Nadu Minister for Environment and Pollution Control N Mariam Pitchai was killed in a road accident near Padalur on the Tiruchirapalli-Chennai National Highway this morning. It is alleged that Mr. Pitchai's official car driver, Anand tried to overtake a truck. As he was attempting to overtake, the left side of the car crashed into the truck, when the truck driver also turned to his right. Minister Mariam Pichai who was seated in front was killed on the spot, while his Personal Security Officer (PSO) driver Anand and three other party workers suffered injuries. Sports Minister Sivapathi, who was travelling in another car, closely following Mr Pitchai's car, escaped unhurt, when his car rammed into the ill-fated car. The two Ministers were on their way to Chennai to attend the oath taking ceremony of newly elected Legislators of the 14th Assembly at 1230 hrs, when the mishap occurred around 7.10 hrs. The Minister Mariam Pichai belonged to the minority Muslim community and was also holding the portfolios of Minorities Welfare and in-charge of Wakf Board. Both Ministers garlanded the Mutharayar statue at Othakkadai, near here around 0630 hrs and set out for Chennai. Within minutes, they met with the accident. Mariam Pitchai, who got elected from Tiruchirapalli (West) Assembly constituency, rose from the grassroots level Ms Jayalalithaa inducted him to the Cabinet. The body of the Minister was brought to Annal Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital at Tiruchirapalli, where a large number of party workers and leaders had assembled and mourned. Shops downed the shutters and public transport in and around the city were suspended as AIADMK volunteers mourned the sudden death of the Minister. 

 CM Ms.J.Jayalalithaa consoles Mrs.Pichai and family

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Monday paid homage to her ministerial colleague N. Mariam Pichai, who died in a road accident. She has ordered a probe into his death.

Ms.Jayalalithaa flew down to Trichy in a special flight to pay her respects to Minister Mariam Pichai. She said Pichai was a true party loyalist and his death is a loss. Jayalalithaa also expressed her condolences to the breaved family. Trichy Citizens paid their respects to Minister N Mariam Pitchai at his residence here where his body has been kept for'darshan' since Monday forenoon. Offering glowing tributes to Mr.Mariam, Dr.K.Govindaraju, and Treasurer of Trichy Welfare Committee said the whole Trichy and people will remember him for ages to come as Mr N Mariam Pitchai was a man of sterling qualities and principled ways of public life.His passing away has ''left us sad and shocked,'' he said and offered tributes. After paying his tributes, Mr.Jawahar Arumugam,President of Trichy District Writers Association and member of Muthamil Kalai Panpattumaiyam  said that Mr.Mariam Pichai was a fearless leader and he was proud that the departed Minister knows the grass root issues and he solved several issues as counselor of Trichy. Trichirappalli District Press club members paid rich tributes to Mr.Mariam Pichai,its   secretary Mr.L.Shanawaskhan said that Mr.Mariam Pichai was fair in his public life and his death as Minister is a major loss for Tamilnadu.SEVAI  Gandhimathi, Anbumani, SEVAI Women SHG movement organizer Vanitha and PLF leaders of  Villuthukal said the sudden demise  of ‘Poor friendly Minister Mariam Pichai’ is a crude shock and loss to entire population of Trichy’. Mr.N Mariam Pitchai is survived by his wife and three children.-Govin