The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Trust to give awards for contributions to epigraphy

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Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Trust to give awards for contributions to epigraphy

Special Correspondent

Karunanidhi announces Rs.1-crore donation to set it up

— Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

BOUNDLESS JOY: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi inaugurating the Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai on Monday. (From left) Law Minister Durai Murugan, former Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University (Thanjavur) Avvai Natarajan, and Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan are in the picture.

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Monday announced a donation of Rs.1 crore to set up a trust for giving awards to researchers making outstanding contribution to the field of epigraphy.

Inaugurating the Central Institute of Classical Tamil at Palar Illam here, the Chief Minister said interest on the amount deposited in the name of Kalaignar Karunanidhi Classical Language Trust would be used for giving the awards and cash prizes every year. “The inscriptions should be ancient and the research should bring out historical truths,” he added.

Mr. Karunanidhi said he made the announcement as he was in a state of boundless joy. The 150-year-old dream of Parithimarkalaignar and his own 50-year-old dream had become a reality with the inauguration of the institute.

Recalling the financial assistance given to the family members of Parithimarkalaignar, who first sought the classical language status for Tamil, and his visit to the late scholar’s house that has been converted into a memorial, Mr. Karunanidhi said the Justice Party conference in 1918 had adopted a resolution demanding classical language status.

“Prompt efforts”

The Chief Minister acknowledged the prompt efforts made by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister for Human Resource Development Arjun Singh in getting classical language status for Tamil. He quoted from Ms. Gandhi’s letter informing him about the completion of formalities in this regard. “Her letter has to be preserved,” he remarked.

Mr. Karunanidhi said the institute functioning from Mysore had come to Chennai thanks to Mr. Singh. “When I was in Delhi, he met me at Tamil Nadu House and handed over the order permitting the shifting of the institute from Mysore to Chennai. This shows the efforts of those in power at the Centre to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamils.”

The Chief Minister said a three-member committee, comprising former Vice-Chancellor V.C. Kulandaisami, writer Jayakanthan and Tamil scholar Nannan, had been constituted to select scholars for the Tholkappiar Award for Lifetime Achievement, two Kural Peetam International Awards (one each for non-resident Indians and persons of non-Indian origin) and 5 awards for Young Scholars of Classical Tamil. The committee would select scholars for the awards for the years 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan, who presided over the function, said the status of the Tamil got a fillip whenever Mr. Karunanidhi became Chief Minister.

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