Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay inaugurated the Periyar Arivulagam library and science centre in Coimbatore’s Gandhipuram on October 16, marking the opening of a seven-storey public knowledge facility built at a cost of Rs 301.71 crore.
The facility has a ground floor and seven upper floors. During the inauguration, the Chief Minister unveiled a statue of Periyar and opened a plaque on the first floor before touring areas containing science exhibits.
Government schoolgirl students explained the operation of the science devices to the Chief Minister during his visit. He also went to the children’s section, sat with children and introduced himself by name before asking them about their names.
The visit included an interaction with a robotic exhibit. After the robot greeted him, the Chief Minister returned the greeting. The facility is intended to combine library services with science learning spaces, although the report did not provide details on its collection size, operating schedule, seating capacity or membership arrangements.
The Chief Minister arrived in Coimbatore by air from Chennai and reached the Arivulagam facility at noon. He received a police guard of honour before beginning the inauguration programme and the tour of the building.
At the end of the visit, Vijay signed the facility’s register in English as “C. Joseph Vijay”. He also wrote the phrase “No more; fear less” in English, conveying the message that greater knowledge can reduce fear.
The inauguration places the new facility among Coimbatore’s public educational and civic assets, with its design combining a conventional library with interactive science exhibits and a dedicated children’s section. The source report did not specify the date on which regular public operations, visitor access or programme schedules would begin.
