An anti-liquor campaign was launched in the city by Tamil enthusiasts observing the birth anniversary of poet Tiruvalluvar. Drawing a verse from the 93 chapter of the Thirukkural, members of Thirukkural Kalvi Mayyam impressed upon the public the need to shun alcohol.
“The verse which we have chosen for our campaign has been taken from the chapter, ‘Kal Unnamai’, and warns the reader that they will lose the respect of scholars if they cannot give up alcohol,” said Thirukkural S. Muruganandam, who runs Thirukkural Kalvi Mayyam. The verse has been printed on flex banners and put up on 50 autos , he added. The birth anniversary of Tiruvalluvar was celebrated by the Mayyam and other Tamil organisations at the Tiruchi Tamil Sangam.
“This year too we conducted the Thirukkural Muttrodal, where all the 133 chapter titles of Thirukkural were recited,” he said, adding that they have been celebrating Tiruvalluvar’s birthday for the past 12 years.
Thirty school students and Tamil enthusiasts took part in the recitation, which was conducted by Ilankumaranar, founder, Tiruvalluvar Thavasalai. The statue in front of the Tamil Sangam building was garlanded.
“On every Sunday this month, we will be visiting places like Mutharasanallur, Jeeyapuram, Kulithalai, Musiri, Nochiyam and Samayapuram Tollgate to spread awareness of the ill-effects of alcohol,” said Mr. Muruganandam.
The enthusiasts have also put forward a set of demands to government - “ TASMAC outlets should be shut down and instruct all government employees to begin their day’s work with the recitation of Thirukkural verse.”
