Latest news with #TamilDevelopmentandInformationDepartment
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ziegenbalg memorial yet to materialise despite announcement in State Assembly
MAYILADUTHURAI Over a year after the Tamil Nadu government announced in the Legislative Assembly the construction of a memorial hall and statue for Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg, the German missionary and Tamil scholar, works have not been picked up yet. Ziegenbalg, who arrived in Tharangambadi on July 9, 1706, after a 222-day sea voyage, is credited with establishing the first Tamil printing press in India in 1712. He also founded Asia's first Protestant church, the New Jerusalem Church, and published Tamil grammars and dictionaries by transferring palm leaf manuscripts to paper. Widely acknowledged as a social reformer, he fought for education rights of women and marginalised communities, and set up schools, vocational training centres, and printing facilities. In the 2024 budget session, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin announced plans to build a memorial hall with a statue to honour Ziegenbalg's contributions and to be implemented by the Tamil Development and Information Department. The move followed years of demand by political parties and scholars. 'Officials have identified land outside Tharangambadi, in Poraiyar, which makes no sense. The memorial must be built inside the Danish Fort area where Ziegenbalg lived and worked,' said S. Johnson, a social activist. Officials from the Tamil Development Department confirmed that land near Tharangambadi police station, adjacent to the tahsildar office, had been earmarked for the purpose. A Government Order sanctioning funds was expected shortly, and construction was likely to begin within a month.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
CM Stalin awards students, felicitates govt fine arts colleges at Tamil week finale
Chennai: Chief minister M K Stalin on Sunday gave away prizes to students and felicitated govt music and fine arts colleges during the valedictory of the Tamil Week Celebrations held at Kalaivanar Arangam. Stalin had earlier announced in the state assembly that Tamil Week would be celebrated from April 29 to May 5, marking Bharathidasan's birth anniversary, with poetry sessions, literary seminars, competitions for students, and cultural performances organised across Tamil Nadu to promote Tamil language pride. A 50 lakh fund was allocated for the celebrations, coordinated by the Tamil Development and Information Department. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai On Sunday, he handed over 10 lakh cheques to five Tamil writers — Kavikko Abdul Rahman, Mervin, A Pazhani, Ko Ma Kodhandam, and Ilama Tamilnavan — whose works were nationalised during the event. Officials said these nationalisations reflect the govt's commitment to bringing Tamil literary works into public ownership. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Sankt-peterburg - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Undo A series of cultural performances marked the ceremony. A debate moderated by Tamil Nadu Textbook Corporation Chairman Dindigul I Leoni explored whether Bharathidasan's songs highlighted linguistic pride or social consciousness. Notably, in the past four years, the govt nationalised 1,442 works of 32 Tamil scholars to make their writings accessible to the public and preserve Tamil literary heritage.
