Tamils to celebrate NY on Thai one

Chennai, Jan 23: The Tamil Nadu Government has decided to declare Tamil month Thai one as the Tamil New Year Day, Governor S S Barnala announced in the State Assembly today.

Delivering his address to the House, he said the decision was taken in view of the consensus amongst almost all Tamil scholars that the first of the month of Thai, is the first day of the Tamil year.

Hitherto, the people of the state were celebrating April 14 (Tamil month Chithirai, an auspicious month for conducting marriages) as Tamil New Year Day.

Now the people of the state, who celebrate Pongal as the festival of Tamils, can celebrate it as Tamil New Year Day also with redoubled joy, the Governor said.

''On this day, let the people of this state plant trees bearing the ''Mukkani'' fruits of banana, mango and jackfruit, draw colourful Kolams, decorate their houses with array of lamps showing them in new splendour, wearing new clothes sing and dance in praise of Tamil pride and self respect, spread the message of equality and shower their love and joy,'' he said.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, while inaugurating Chennai Sangamam, a cultural extravaganza, had announced that Thai one would henceforth be celebrated as Tamil New Year Day along with Pongal, the festival of harvest.

UNI