Language not just for communication as it reflects culture and politics: OPS

Chennai

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Monday showered praise on Tamil language by saying it was not just a language but epitomises everything related to the lives of Tamil people.

“Tamil is our knowledge, Tamil is our power, Tamil is our thought, Tamil is our wealth and Tamil is our life,” said Panneerselvam at the inaugural function of ‘Tamizhiyakkam’, an intiative backed by G Viswanathan, Chancellor of VIT University that aims to bring Tamils across the world under one banner.

The Deputy CM also said that language cannot be restricted for the mere purpose of communication.

“A language reflects politics, art, history, social condition, livelihood, culture of people,” he said.

Panneerselvam further said that there are 6,760 languages in the world including 1,652 languages in India. Among them, the Dravidian language family has the significance of being the oldest, he stated.

“Max Planck Institute in Germany along with Wildlife Research Institute carried out a joint research and established the fact that Tamil language is more than 4,500 years old”, said Panneerselvam.

Also speaking at the event, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishan accused Tamil organisations of failing to appreciate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who he said had insisted on other State chief ministers to promote Tamil language by recruiting Tamil teachers.

“The PM also made it clear that Tamil is an ancient language when compared to Sanskrit, but no one from TN appreciated him for his support to Tamil,” Radhakrishnan said.

Pointing out that Tamils are known for expressing their gratitude, the union minister said that a thanksgiving effort by the Tamil race will be a fitting reply to the PM, who is fond of Tamil development. BJP leadersTamilisai Soundarajan and Ela Ganesan also spoke at the event.