Tamil society honours writers who champion social progress, says CM Stalin
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday said creators must be celebrated during their lifetime and pointed out that Tamil society has always recognised and honoured writers who champion social progress and upliftment. In that spirit, he said, former CM and DMK president M Karunanidhi not only made exceptional contributions to Tamil literature, but also encouraged and elevated other creators.
He was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day 'Centenary Seminar on Muthamizharignar Kalaignar M Karunanidhi' jointly organised by Sahitya Akademi and Jawaharlal Nehru University's (JNU) Special Centre for Tamil Studies. Stalin said the event marked the 'recognition of Kalaignar as the literary face of India'.
Highlighting initiatives to support writers, Stalin noted that the state has implemented the Kanavu Illam scheme to provide houses worth Rs 1 crore each to Sahitya Akademi award-winning writers. 'So far, 15 scholars have benefitted from the scheme. Continuing this initiative, houses have now been allotted to 10 translators who have also received the Sahitya Akademi awards,' he said. 'No other state has introduced such a scheme.'
Stalin also recalled that during his tenure as CM, Karunanidhi nationalised the works of 108 Tamil scholars and distributed royalties worth Rs 7.76 crore. 'In the past four years, I have nationalised the works of 36 Tamil scholars and distributed Rs 4.25 crore in royalties,' he added.
'These seminars should not only celebrate Kalaignar but also inspire the creation of a society with egalitarian ideas and progressive thoughts, as he envisioned,' Stalin said. He further noted that Karunanidhi had created a Tamil chair at JNU, which has now developed into a full-fledged department. 'We have allocated Rs 5.30 crore for it, and steps are under way to install a statue of Thiruvalluvar at JNU,' the CM added.
JNU vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit praised Karunanidhi's contributions to literature and cinema, saying, 'In turning language into resistance, cinema into conscience, and literature into liberation, Kalaignar became more than an icon -- he is a legend.' She added the Thiruvalluvar statue at JNU will be unveiled by Stalin.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
29 minutes ago
- Hans India
Maha: Heated debate expected on Hindi language row, Shaktipeeth during upcoming monsoon session
Mumbai: Raging controversy over the introduction of Hindi in Marathi and English schools from classes 1 to 5, the protests against the land acquisition for the Rs 86,300 crore Shaktipeeth Mahamarg, tabling of Public Security Act following the scrutiny of the joint select committee, damage caused to agriculture due to unseasonal rains and demand for from loan waiver are among the several issues which are going to be discussed during the three week monsoon session of Maharashtra Legislature starting from June 30 in Mumbai. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the government is prepared for debate in the state legislature, adding that the session will be held up to July 18 as per the agenda and time schedule fixed by the Business Advisory Committee. On the other hand, the Leader of Opposition in the state council, Ambadas Danve, said that the opposition parties will take on the government on a range of issues, exposing its inaction on all fronts. Ruling and opposition parties are set to have a noisy discussion on the inclusion of Hindi as a third language in the state curriculum. The MahaYuti government has said that the Marathi language is mandatory, while the Hindi language is optional. On the other hand, Shiv Sena UBT and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have joined hands to take a morcha against the imposition of Hindi while appealing to other parties to participate for the protection of Marathi. Shiv Sena (Thackeray), Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) are going to take an aggressive stand on the three-language formula of the grand alliance government. Interestingly, NCP national president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has opposed the introduction of Hindi from classes 1 to 5, saying that Hindi should be taught from the fifth standard and not from classes 1 to 4. The Chief Minister is expected to further clarify the state government's stand in his reply to the debate. The face off between ruling and opposition parties is also expected on the state Cabinet's recent decision to clear Rs 20,000 crore for the project design and land acquisition for the 802-km six-lane Shaktipeeth Expressway connecting 18 pilgrimage sites, including three and a half Shaktipeeths, two Jyotirlingas and Pandharpur Ambejogai in the state. The project will pass through 12 districts. However, farmers have already stepped up their protests against the land acquisition, while opposition parties have alleged that the project is being pursued for the benefit of contractors. Farmers from 12 districts will hold a simultaneous protest against the Shaktipeeth Mahamarg on July 1. Opposition parties have already extended their support, asking the government not to implement the project at the cost of farmers' interests. The opposition is accusing the MahaYuti government of dilly-dallying over its poll promise of farm loan waiver. Shiv Sena UBT, Congress and MCP (SP) have alleged that while the government is spending huge money on infrastructure and other projects, it does not have money to provide a loan waiver. However, the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule have said that the government will take the decision at an appropriate time. Bawankule said that the government will make an announcement of a high-level committee on loan waivers during the monsoon session. Further, opposition has blamed the government for not being serious in providing help to the farmers hit hard by unseasonal rains witnessed in May in Maharashtra. They have decided to 'grill' Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate for his recent statements on farm loan waiver and for conducting panchnamas of damaged crops. The Chief Minister said that the panchnamas are an ongoing process, and the government is committed to providing financial assistance to the farmers. The opposition is set to corner the state government on the Public Security Act as the joint select committee, chaired by Chandrashekhar Bawankule, has completed its scrutiny. The committee has suggested amending the objective from 'certain unlawful activities of individuals and organisations' to 'certain unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist (LWE) organisations or similar organisations.' The committee has dropped the urban naxal reference, which was there in the original bill presented by the state government in the winter session of the state legislature held last year. Bawankule is optimistic that the revised bill will be passed during the monsoon session, although the opposition proposes to seek further clarifications relating to its implementation. Meanwhile, state NCP (SP) chief and party legislator from Islampur in Sangli district, Jayant Patil, hoped that the Speaker would restrict the number of calling attention motions and thereby conduct the proceedings as per the rules.
Hans India
30 minutes ago
- Hans India
Ashok Gehlot hits out at BJP, NIA over delay in justice for slain Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal's family
Jaipur: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Ashok Gehlot has criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for failing to deliver justice to tailor Kanhaiya Lal Sahu, nearly three years after his brutal murder in Udaipur. Marking the third death anniversary of Kanhaiya Lal, Gehlot paid tribute to the deceased tailor and expressed grief that justice continues to elude the victim's family. "It is a matter of great sadness that even after three years, he and his family have not got justice," the former Chief Minister said in a social media post. Gehlot accused the BJP of politicising the murder case without making any real effort to ensure accountability. "The BJP used this case politically but made no effort for justice, whereas this is a very clear case in which the entire crime and even the confession of the accused is recorded on video," he said. Highlighting the swift action taken under the previous Congress government in Rajasthan, Gehlot said, "During our government, the accused was arrested within just four hours. But that very night, the NIA took over the case. Since then, justice has remained pending." He criticised the NIA and the Central government for procedural delays in the murder case. "Only six out of 166 witnesses have testified in the last three years. No special court or fast-track court was constituted, despite the heinous nature of the crime. Today, this case is being heard under the additional charge of a CBI court," Gehlot said. Taking a jibe at the BJP government in the state, the former Chief Minister alleged that the BJP misled the people with false claims of compensation to the family of the slain tailor Kanhaiya Lal. "They spread confusion with propaganda of Rs 5 to Rs 50 lakh as compensation and used the incident to gather votes," Gehlot said. He also questioned the timing of a new film based on the brutal murder of Kanhaiya Lal up for release. "Everyone knows who stands to benefit politically from this film, but justice has still not been served," he said, adding that if the case had remained with the Rajasthan Police, the accused would likely have been convicted by now. On this day in June 2022, Kanhaiya Lal Sahu was brutally murdered in broad daylight at his tailoring shop in Udaipur, with his throat slit in a gruesome act that shocked the whole country. Three years later, his elder son, Yash Sahu, continues to live by the three solemn vows he took after his father's death, during a protest demanding justice. Yash has neither immersed his father's ashes nor worn shoes or slippers since the murder. He has also not cut his hair for the past three years. "Until the killers of my father are hanged, I will not break these vows," Yash says with quiet determination. The Kanhaiya Lal case is currently being investigated by the NIA.
The Print
35 minutes ago
- The Print
Centre has not given a single rupee to Kerala for coastal protection: Minister Saji Cherian
Despite the lack of aid from the Centre, the Left government has implemented the most number of welfare projects for the people of the coastal region. According to Cherian, the Centre was requested to provide funds for coastal region protection, 'but not a single rupee was given'. Kochi, Jun 28 (PTI) Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian on Saturday claimed that the central government has not given a single rupee for protecting the 600-km long coastal area of the state from getting flooded by sea water during the rainy season. He was speaking with reference to the recent protests in Chellanam here over coastal erosion and flooding of homes in the area by sea water. He also said the state government was carrying out work for protection of the coastline at various places, including Chellanam here and Chethy in Alappuzha district, but availability of raw materials, like rocks, is a problem. 'So, we shifted to tetrapods from rocks. Now we are exploring the possibility of using geotubes and if it can be implemented, we will be able to protect the coastline without any environmental issues,' the minister said. Geotextile tubes are aligned with the shoreline to weaken wave energy and protect against coastal erosion. He said that despite these difficulties in protecting the long Kerala coastline, the government has already spent Rs 400 crore out of the Rs 750 crore earmarked for coastal protection. PTI HMP HMP ROH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
