Kalam urges MK to popularise Tamil Internet in the world

Chennai, Sep 4 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today urged the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to popularise Internet in Tamil through out the world.

After conferring 'Tholkappiam' award on Mr Karunanidhi Mr Kalam said Tamil scholars around the globe should unite and help to popularise Tamil literature through the Internet. The Tamil Nadu Government should render all assistance for this purpose, he said.

Mr Kalam also suggested that the University of Madras develop a 'Tholkappiam Research Centre' and take up research activities on the ancient Tamil literature.

He said the University should join hands with Thanjavur Univrsity to explore the ancient Tamil literature and it could be used for today's life style. These Universities should take up atleast 20 PHD programmes on these places, he said.

Praising Mr Karunanidhi for the scholarly acumen and deep knowledge on Tamil literature, Mr Kalam said the DMK leader coming out by authoring ''Tholkappiam Poonga (a poetry in Tholkappiam park) had made everyone understand the richness of the ancient Tamil literature.

Recalling that a copy of the book was presented to him by Mr Karunanidhi in 2002, the President said he had enjoyed the book and presented it to one of his friends. ''After reading the book I came out of the pooga(park), but his friend was still caught in that. I could come out of the park because I am a bachelor,'' he said amid peels of laughter.

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