Chennai, 31 Oct (H.S.): Tamil scholars and students will be honoured at the Tamil Nadu government’s official Tamil Nadu Day celebrations at the Chennai Museum on Sunday, November 1, with the programme highlighting contributions to Tamil literature and excellence in learning the Thirukkural.

The Tamil Development Department will organise the event at 10 a.m., in accordance with an announcement by the Chief Minister, an official press release said.

The government said November 1 would be celebrated every year as Tamil Nadu Day to commemorate the State’s formation on November 1, 1956. Sunday’s function will bring together several initiatives recognising literary scholarship and encouraging students to engage with Tamil’s classical works.

Rajmohan, Minister for School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity, will present payments towards the nationalisation of the literary works of five Tamil scholars. The presentation forms part of the government’s recognition of their contribution to Tamil literature.

The ceremony will also recognise 179 students who have completed reciting the entire Thirukkural. They will receive prizes and certificates of appreciation from the Minister, according to the release.

Written by Thiruvalluvar, the Thirukkural comprises 1,330 couplets dealing with virtue, wealth and love. Recognition of the students will be a central feature of the programme, alongside the honours being presented to Tamil scholars.

Another major component of the celebrations will be the presentation of Tamil Semmal awards to 76 scholars. The awards recognise their contributions to the Tamil language and its development.

The programme thus combines recognition for established scholars with encouragement for young learners, placing both literary achievement and the study of classical Tamil at the centre of the observance.

The press release outlined the three presentations—payments for nationalised literary works, student prizes and Tamil Semmal awards—as the principal features of the Tamil Development Department’s celebrations marking Tamil Nadu Day in Chennai on Sunday.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman