Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani announced in New Delhi on Saturday that her Ministry would celebrate sage Thiruvalluvar’s birth anniversary every year.
On Friday, members of the Rajya Sabha had unanimously supported a demand from BJP MP Tarun Vijay for the celebration of Thiruvalluvar’s birth anniversary nationally.
January 15 is marked as Thiruvalluvar Day and is a public holiday in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.
Ms. Irani met members of Tamil associations in Delhi led by Union Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways P. Radhakrishnan and Mr. Vijay. “After Tarun Vijay ji’s request in the Rajya Sabha which was supported by all members I am happy to announce that Thiruvalluvar’s birth anniversary will be celebrated in schools from next year onwards.”
Ms. Irani added that books in Hindi and English on Thiruvalluvar’s life and his magnum opus Thirukural would be distributed in schools and that the Centre would monitor the distribution of these books and their reception by students. She added that elocution and essay contests would also be organised to mark the birth anniversary.
Mr. Radhakrishnan said,” We also requested her to do the same for (freedom fighter) Subramanian Bharathi and she said she would look into it.”
“She (Irani) is a wonderful person and we are grateful to her. This move will build national solidarity in the field of education” said Vijay. In August, Mr. Vijay had petitioned President Pranab Mukherjee to make Tamil the primary language of transaction in Madras High Court.
