Lalu reveals he is learning Tamil

Chennai, May 11 (UNI) A votary of Hindi, Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today revealed that he was learning Tamil from his deputy from Tamil Nadu R Velu.

Delivering his felicitation address at the public function, to mark Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi's completion of 50 years as a legislator in Tamil Nadu Assembly, Mr Lalu, who began his speech in English, said he would combine it with a little Hindi and added ''I am learning Tamil also from Mr Velu. I know only a few words like Vanakkam.'' Mr Lalu said he was very keen to learn Tamil.

Describing Mr Karunanidhi as a champion not only of Tamil language, Mr Lalu said the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was a champion of social justice also.

'' He wants to bring the Backward Classes and Dalits sitting in the last bench of the society to the forefront,'' Lalu observed.

UNI