Date:01/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/01/stories/2008100156451100.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Perunchithiranar’s works to be nationalised

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister grants the request made by Thol Thirumavalavan at a function

CHENNAI: The works of Tamil scholar Perunchithiranar will be nationalised, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi announced on Monday.

Statue unveiled

The announcement followed Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK) president Thol Thirumavalavan’s request at a function organised here to unveil the statue of poet Suratha.

Research centre

Mr. Thirumavalavan also requested for creating a research centre at Tamil University, Thanjavur, named after Perunchithirnanar.

Mr. Karunanidhi, a close friend of Suratha since his school days, said he would remember him till his last breath for what he did at the inauguration of Valluvarkottam, his brainchild. “But my government was dismissed a few days before the inauguration, and I was not invited. When a few Tamil scholars launched an attack on me at the function, Suratha stood up and objected to their remarks. boldly.

It is an unforgettable moment in my life,” he said.

Mr. Karunanidhi said rice production in the State would be good; instead of making money by selling it, the government had launched the Re. 1 per kg scheme for the benefit of the poor.

Electricity Minister Arcot V. Veeraswami, Mayor M. Subrmanian and poets Vaali and Abdul Rahman participated.