“Tamil Nadu Government plans to distribute free Thirukkural copies to 8th standard students of Government Schools” said Dr. N. Arul, Director, Tamil Development and Information Department, giving away the prizes to the winners of Shriram Ilakkiya Kazhagam’s Thirukkural Contest held in the city.
The Chennai zone competition was conducted recently (21st July 2018) at Dr. MGR-Janaki Arts & Science College for Women, Raja Annamalaipuram. Around 1012 students participated.
“Students should learn at least a Thirukkural couplet and a Kambaramayanam poem every day. Under the direction of our Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Thirukkural copies are to be given away to 8th standard students of Government Schools to help them benefit from the advocacy of Thirukkural,” said Dr. N. Arul and further added “in addition to encouraging students, Shriram Ilakkiya Kazhagam should also come forward to encourage the Thirukkural scholars. Since the first translation by G.U. Pope, Thirukkural has been translated by over 200 scholars in English. Apart from English, it has been translated in other languages too. Recently, Tamil Nadu government has released the copy of Thirukkural in Korean language.
Mr. George Stephen, PRO, Shriram Chits Tamil Nadu (P) Ltd., welcomed the gathering. Mr. T. Ramesh Parthiban, General Manager, Shriram Chits Tamil Nadu (P) Ltd., presided over the function.
First Prize winners of Elocution Contest
- Junior : P. Snehan, Velammal Matriculation Hr. Sec. School, Mogappair
- Senior : I. Akasaya, Velammal Vidyalaya, Mael Ayanambakkam
- College : T. Selvaraj, Madras University
First Prize winners of Drawing Contest
- Junior : K.Sanjairaj, Nathella vidyodaya School
- Senior : Vinitha lakshmanan, Velammal Public School
- College : A. Yashmitha Devi, Madras Institute of Technology, Chrompet
Following the Chennai contest on 21st July 2018 and Puducherry (on 22nd July), the contests at other centers will be held on dates: Madurai on 28th July, Nellai on 29th July, Thiruvarur on 4th August, Trichy on 5th August, Coimbatore on 11th August, Erode on 12th August, Salem on 18th August, Vellore on 19th August.
It is worth mentioning that Shriram Ilakkiya Kazhagam has been conducting this competition every year since 1988 with the view of enhancing awareness on the teachings of Thirukkural among the student community across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
