Chennai, July 2024

“One of the famous couplets from Thirukkural says that ‘wealth will find its own way to the man of unfailing energy’. This is true not only for wealth, but also for achieving any other goals in life. All we need is an unwavering interest and enthusiasm in our pursuits,” said Dr.  N. Arul, Director, Tamil Development Department, Government of Tamilnadu. 

He was addressing the school and college students who participated in Thirukkural competitions organised by Shriram Ilakkiya Kazhagam at CSI Jessie Moses Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Anna Nagar. 

About 777 school and college students from the cities of Chennai, Thiruvallur, Poonamallee, Thiruthani, and Thiruvarur took part in Thirukkural speech, essay writing, and drawing competitions, under various categories. About 327 students took part in the drawing competition; 275 and 175 students in the speech and writing competition, respectively. 

In his address, Dr. Arul stated, “Kambaramayam and Thirukkural are considered the two jewels of Tamil literature. If students learn these works of universal values, they can excel in all domains of life. The Government of Tamil Nadu has been organising speech and writing competitions for students of both government and private educational institutions. These competitions focus on six legendary personalities from various fields within the state. More and more students have to come forward to make use of these opportunities and demonstrate their talent. Valluvar’s words hold true: recognition will come to students who possess unwavering enthusiasm and interest.”

Earlier, the Assistant General Manager of Shriram Chits (India) Pvt Ltd, Mr. Ravi welcomed the gathering, and the Principal of CSI Jessie Moses Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Mrs. Vimala Angelina felicitated the students. 

The first prize winners of speech competition are:

●      Junior Category: K. Ilakkiya, Velammal Matric Higher Secondary School, Mogappair

●      Senior Category: Sri. Sri. Nandhana, Velammal Vidyalaya School, Mogappair West

●      College Category:  T. Madhumita, Valliammal College for Women, Anna Nagar

The first prize winners of drawing competition are:

●      Junior Category: R. Shyam Maran Bose, Velammal Vidyalaya School, Mogappair West

●      Senior Category: S. Kailash Sankar, Velammal Matric Higher Secondary School, Mogappair 

●      College Category: S. Silambarasan, Dwaraka Doss Goverdhan Doss Vaishnav College, Arumbakkam

The first prize winners of essay writing competition are:

●      Junior Category: M. Deepa, Velammal Matric Higher Secondary School, Mogappair

●      Senior Category: V. Netaji, Velammal Matric Higher Secondary School, Mogappair

●      College Category: P. Madhumita, Patrician College of Arts and Science, Adyar 

Shriram Ilakkiya Kazhagam has been organising Thirukkural competitions since 1988 to promote Thirukkural values and Tamil literature, among the young generation in the state.