Latest news with #CNAnnadurai
India Today
12 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Tamil Nadu Minister says Google app enough, slams Hindi imposition in schools
Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Thursday reiterated the state government's opposition to the imposition of Hindi, arguing that language learning must remain a matter of choice, not compulsion. Referring to a recent controversy in Karnataka, where around 90,000 students reportedly failed their examinations due to the imposition of Hindi, the Minister questioned the logic behind forcing students to study a language they may not choose the necessity of learning Hindi for translation or communication purposes in the modern era, he said, 'We want to make our children scientists, architects, doctors. But they want to make them translators, for which a Google app is enough.' He argued that mobile technology now provides easy access to real-time translation, making it unnecessary to 'toil and study for a year' just to understand or speak another language. 'There is a difference between option and compulsion. If you are compelled to study, do not accept it,' the Minister said while speaking at a public function. He invoked the words of DMK founder CN Annadurai, who, in 1967, had declared that development should not come at the cost of linguistic imposition. 'Anna said imposing is different from educating. He said that if they say you can only develop if you learn Hindi, we do not need such development,' Anbil Mahesh Minister stated that Tamil Nadu's stand has always been to encourage multilingual learning, as long as it remains voluntary. 'Learn as many languages as you want. Learn all the 22 languages in the 8th Schedule. But do not impose,' he remarks come in the wake of continuing resistance in Tamil Nadu against the push for Hindi under the Union government's National Education Policy (NEP), which has faced criticism for allegedly promoting a one-language agenda. The Minister's comments also reflect the DMK government's long-standing policy of two-language education and its emphasis on linguistic pride and regional identity. IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Outrage in Kovai over public toilet named after Kakkan, Anna Durai
COIMBATORE: A public toilet in Coimbatore's Anna Nagar has stirred controversy after names of Congress leader S Kakkan and Dravidian icon CN Annadurai were found painted on its walls. The facility located in ward 95 under the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) had been recently renovated and repainted, bringing fresh attention to an old inscription that left many shocked and angered. The words 'CCMC South Zone, ward 95, Modern Toilet in Memory of Freedom Fighter Kakkan and Perarignar Anna' were found on the newly painted wall, sparking outrage among residents and political parties alike. A video of the facility quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism. Political leaders across party lines, including those from the AIADMK and BJP, strongly condemned the act. Former BJP state president Annamalai also weighed in, calling it deeply disrespectful. Congress Councillor S Sankar of ward 74 filed an official petition with the CCMC commissioner and mayor demanding immediate action. In response, CCMC officials acted swiftly on Tuesday with a team led by Assistant Commissioner Kumaran, Assistant Executive Engineer Kanagaraj, and Assistant Engineer Saranya visiting the spot on Tuesday. The team removed the controversial text by repainting the wall. The CCMC said the toilet was constructed and opened in 2010 and the names had been present since then. However, they explained that the recent repainting unintentionally brought the faded lettering back into prominence, leading to the misunderstanding and backlash. This is not the first incident of outrage due to a public toilet in Coimbatore. A few years ago, a twin-seater toilet built in Puliyakulam had also drawn criticism.
