Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin releasing a silver jubilee commemorative book titled ‘Valluvar Potrudhum’. The first copy was received by the Kundrakudi Mutt head, Ponnambala Adikalar
| Photo Credit: A. Shaikmohideen
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday (December 31, 2024) announced that the last week of December will be celebrated as ‘Kural Week’ (Kural Vaaram) every year. He declared this at the silver jubilee celebrations of the installation of the Tiruvalluvar statue in Kanniyakumari.
On the second day of the celebrations, the Chief Minister released a silver jubilee commemorative book titled ‘Valluvar Potrudhum’, and the first copy was received by the Kundrakudi Mutt head, Ponnambala Adikalar. The book comprised articles and poems penned by eminent Tamil scholars on Tiruvalluvar and his magnum opus Tirukkural.
Additionally, the Chief Minister unveiled a silver jubilee celebration song, ‘Valluva Malai’, composed by musician A.R. Rahman and written by actor Kamal Hassan. He also launched the republished book, ‘Tirukkural 366 gems of day’, by the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services department.
Tirukkural learning centres
During the event, Mr. Stalin announced several projects, including the introduction of three new ferries for the Poompuhar Boat Corporation named after leaders Kamarajar, Marshall Nesamani, and Tamil scholar G.U. Pope, and the establishment of Tirukkural learning centres in the district with an annual allocation of ₹3 lakh.
Further, he said that Tirukkural-themed art and cultural programmes will be conducted every year in 133 higher educational institutions, and urged private organisations to promote the ideals of Tirukkural, alongside government offices. He also upgraded Kanniyakumari from a town panchayat to a municipality.
Describing the celebrations as “Aymperum Vizha”, the Chief Minister emphasised that the towering Tiruvalluvar statue is a symbol of Tamil cultural identity and paid his tribute to contributions of Periyar and C.N. Annadurai towards promoting Tirukkural among the public.
He also highlighted the initiatives of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi towards promoting Tiruvalluvar and Tirukkural, such as displaying couplets of Tirukkural in government buses and offices, construction of a Tiruvalluvar temple and Valluvar Kottam in Chennai, and the establishment of the Tiruvalluvar statue in Kanniyakumari.
The chief minister also laid the foundation stone for a Tiruvalluvar arch gate in Kanniyakumari at a cost of ₹1.45 crore and renamed the Kanniyakumari beach road as Tiruvalluvar Salai.
At the event, the Chief Minister honoured the contractor, project planner, and structural designer of India’s first glass bridge over the sea in Kanniyakumari, which he inaugurated on Monday (December 30, 2024). The bridge connects the Tiruvalluvar statue and Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
He also presented certificates to the school and college students, who excelled in various competitions organised as part of the silver jubilee celebrations.
Published – December 31, 2024 02:47 pm IST
