Other States - Puducherry   

Draw inspiration from Bharathi’s values, Mithi urges people

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

Paying homage: Lt.Governor Mukut Mithi pays tributes to Mahakavi Bharathi on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary in in Puducherry on Monday. Chief Minister N. Rangasamy and Education Minister M.O.H.F. Shahjahan are in the picture.

PUDUCHERRY: Lt.Governor Mukut Mithi on Monday appealed to the people to draw inspiration from national poet Subramania Bharathi’s values of communal harmony and religious amity.

Speaking at a function organised by the Department of Art and Culture to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of the poet here, he said though Bharathi loved Tamil he still respected and praised other languages. Bharathi believed that only one who showered love on his mother tongue could also love his motherland.

In his address, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy said the Government would consider the proposal to name Pondicherry region as Puducherry. “We have called for the records and we want to do it in a proper manner. We are not against it,” he added.

As part of its efforts to make the younger generation learn Tamil, the Government had passed a G.O. making compulsory the teaching of Tamil in all schools, both private and Government, he pointed out. “Earlier we had a situation in which students weren’t able to read or write in Tamil. Now that has changed,” he said.

Mr. Rangasamy also said Bharathi’s poems that were written during his stay in Puducherry would be released by the Department of Art and Culture.

The Chief Minister presented prizes to children who had participated in music and essay competitions.

Education Minister M.O.H.F. Shahjahan said the Government was taking steps to make an animation film about the life and works of Subramania Bharathi, who was a multi-faceted personality. Member of Parliament M. Ramadass, MLAs K. Lakshminarayanan and R.K.R. Anantharaman and Secretary of Art and Culture S. Kumaraswamy spoke.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Draw inspiration from Bharathi’s values, Mithi urges people
“Congress stand on LTTE is firm”
Banks urged to relax education loan norms
Woman injured in fire
Efforts on to produce vaccine to control hypertension
Adopt sportspersons, corporate houses told
Patrons Day celebrated at Amalorpavam School
National Book Fair begins with clarion call to youth
Pensioners seek interim relief
Ministry takes up compensation issue

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu