“Education, prosperity and wealth are interlinked and they helped our ancestors to scale great heights,” said G.T. Venkateshwar Rao, Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), on Tuesday.
He was delivering the presidential address at a function organised here to mark the 134 birth anniversary of Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar.
“Knowledge and education are more important than power and physical possession. The achievements of our ancestors in the fields of science and astronomy are unparalleled,” Mr. Rao said.
Recalling the contributions of Annamalai Chettiar to education, he stated that Annamalai University had enlightened several thousands of students since its establishment. “Annamalai Chettiar had the vision, audacity, capacity and zeal to establish a university in the British era. His legacy has benefitted thousands of students,” he noted.
Mr. Rao also presented the Dr. Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar Anniversary Commemoration Award, comprising a citation and ‘Porkizhi,’ to renowned Madurai-based dancer Bala Nandakumar. He then conferred the ‘Tirumurai Selvam’ degrees on students who passed the Tirumurai examination and gave away prizes to winners of music and speech competitions.
Speaking on the occasion, M. Arunagiri, Principal, MAVMM Ayira Vaisyar College, said that Annamalai Chettiar’s immense contribution to publication of books and his vision to offer free Tirumurai classes were commendable.
S. Mohan Gandhi, trustee, Tamil Isai Sangam, urged the students to learn ‘Thevaram’ to know about values in life.