SINGAPORE — A village all the way in the southern Indian province of Tamil Nadu is planning to have a memorial event for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew tomorrow (March 29), the day that his State Funeral is due to take place in Singapore.

“On behalf of those who have worked in Singapore and those who are currently working there, our families would like to pray for and pay tribute to the man who is the main reason for our livelihoods,” a poster about the memorial says.

The village of Ullikottai in the region known as Thanjavur delta, has seen many of their own travelling to Singapore to earn a livelihood.

Money earned by migrant Indian workers in Singapore and sent home has helped provide electricity in one of the most under-developed regions in India, Channel NewsAsia reported.

The poster adds: “We honour the man who made Tamil one of the official languages of Singapore, and a man who made the dreams of Tamils around the world a reality,” a poster advertising the event says. The tribute event is scheduled for 4pm tomorrow.

As part of the tribute, special prayers will be held, the poster says.

Political leaders in Tamil Nadu also condoled the death of Mr Lee, saying that the Tamils across the world have lost a good friend, reported Indian newspaper The Hindu.

“He brought together various nationalities — Tamils, Malaysians and Chinese — and made Tamil one of the official languages,” said DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) political party leader M Karurunanidhi was quoted as saying.