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First day of ‘Thai’ to be Tamil New Year Day in Puducherry

PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Wednesday announced in the Assembly that the first day of the Tamil month of ‘Thai’ would be celebrated as ‘Tamil New Year’ as it was practiced in the neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Replying to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Lieutenant Governor’s Address, he said the Union Territory had been following Tamil Nadu with regard to fostering Tamil culture and literature. In tune with this tradition, the government had taken the decision to adopt ‘Thai’ 1 as the Tamil New Year, he added. The Chief Minister’s announcement was welcomed by the members belonging to the Congress, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Pattali Makkal Katchi, the Puducherry Munnetra Congress and the Communist Party of India.

However, the members of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staged a walkout protesting against the government’s decision to alter the Tamil New Year on the ground that it would not be appreciated by the people.

Responding to the plea made by the DMK members, Mr. Rangasamy said that the government would hold celebrations in the Union Territory to mark the centenary of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu C.N. Annadurai.

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