World Consumer Rights Day was celebrated by Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department on 12.04.2008 at Meenakshi Thirumanamandapam, Tiruvannmalai district.

On that day, Thiru Aranga. Velu, Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Railway inaugurated the consumer awareness exhibition and viewed all the stalls. Then the release of Consumer Guide took place. Thiru G.Thamarai, District Revenue Officer welcomed the gathering and Thiru Ethirolimaniyan, Member of Legislative Assembly, Peranamallur spoke about the present status of consumers. He also spoke about the ill- effect of the intervention of the intermediaries between the farmers and the consumers. Thiru M.Varadhan, Member of Legislative Assembly, Sengam also seconded the same version.

Thiru Sathyapratha Sahoo, I.A.S, District Collector,Tiruvannamalai presided the function. Thiru R.Sridharan, Municipal chairman, Tiruvannamalai spoke about the action taken by the Government in the welfare of the consumers. Thiru Arang. Velu , Hon'ble Minister of State for Railway released the Consumer guide prepared by this department. Representatives of Voluntary Consumer Organisations from various districts expressed their views on consumer awareness. Sumptuous lunch was provided to all the participants.

In the afternoon session by 3.00 pm., again the function was started. Representatives of leading Consumer Organisations took part in the function as special speakers. Thiru Ramani, President, Thandurai Pattabiram Consumer Centre, Chennai, Thiru M.Nijamudeen, General President, Cuddalore District Consumer Protection Council, Thiru Arangasamy, President, Consumer Protection Association, Thandarampattu, and Thiru K.M.Swaminathan, President, Consumer Protection Association, Konkaraam pattu, spoke the importance of the consumer awareness and consumer movement.

Thiru K.Rajaraman, I.A.S. Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department delivered a special address. Thiru Subramanian, Regional Joint Registrator, Thriu K. Pitchandi, Member of Legislative Assembly, Tiruvannamalai indicated the importance givento consumer protection by State Government. Thiru E.V.Velu, Hon'ble Minister for Food and Consumer Protection released the C.D contains 16 short films produced to promote consumer awareness among consumers and distributed prizes and certificates to the best consumer clubs students.

State level awards for the best consumer activists for 2006 who promoted consumer education and awareness were awarded to following Consumer Activists.

First prize (Rs.5000/-) Tmt. Nirmala Desikan, CAI, Chennai

Second prize (Rs.3000/-) Thiru Pudurasa, Theni

Third prize (Rs.2000/-) Thiru Arthur, Madurai.

Also cheques for Rs.1000/- were distributed to 15 school headmasters to form new consumer clubs. Best three prizes were also distributed to three departments for having established stalls in the exhibition. First prize was awarded to Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Second prize was awarded to AGMARK and the third prize was awarded to TWAD and Tiruvannamalai municipality.

The function came to a close with National Anthem.