Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday Tamil is now echoing across America as he extolled its rich antiquity at the convocation ceremony of IIT Madras here, days after praising it as the most ancient language of the world in the United Nations.
The Prime Minister's praise for Tamil is seen as an attempt to reach out to the people of Tamil Nadu after a row broke out with Home Minister Amit Shah's pitching for Hindi as a common language which was condemned as "Hindi imposition," by parties in the State.
Modi was on his first visit to Tamil Nadu after his address to the UN General Assembly and his party's big win in the Lok Sabha elections months ago.
Addressing a reception here hosted by the BJP, Modi referred to his usage of an ancient Tamil saying in the world forum and he then went on to mention its positive implication in the US.
"...so even today Tamil is echoing in the whole of US," he said to rounds of applause from BJP supporters.
He said it was always a delight for him to be back in the state capital of Tamil Nadu.
"Chennai makkalai santhithil magilchi," he said in Tamil which meant "happy to meet the people of Chennai."
Later, addressing the 56th convocation of the IIT Madras, Modi said "We are in the state of Tamil Nadu, which has a special distinction. It is home to the oldest language in the world, Tamil."
Addressing the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, Prime Minister Modi quoted Tamil poet Kaniyan Poongundranar's famous phrase, "Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir."
"3000 years ago, a great poet of India, Kaniyan Poongundranar wrote in Tamil, the most ancient language of the world "Yaadhum Oore..."
Asked about Prime Minister Modi's back to back praise for Tamil within days, political commentator Sumanth C Raman told PTI:
"The Prime Minister might be trying to reach out to the people of Tamil Nadu in the wake of the controversy that surrounded the draft New Education Policy and Home Minsiter Amit Shah's speech on the Hindi Diwas Day."
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app