Tirukkural prodigy to get National award for Excellence

Madurai, Nov 13: Seven-year-old Lavinashree, who surprised many by reciting all the 1,330 couplets from Tirukkural, and making her way into the 'Limca Book of Records,' has been chosen for the 'National Award for Excellence.' The selection committee for 'National Child Award Exceptional Achievement-2006' has selected M Lavinashree, studying in third standard in a city school here for the award, according to her father K Munisamy.

He said Lavinashree developed a passion for Tirukkural at the tender age of three years and exhibited her prodigious skill at various literary fora.

Among the rewards she received in recent years, included a cash prize of Rs 5,000 each from Tamil Nadu Governor S S Barnala and the Department of Tamil. She also earned the appreciation from former President A P J Abdul Kalam when she met him here, Munisamy said.

'' My daughter has memorised Tirukkural and can recite it without the assistance of a prompter. The National award will encourage her to achieve many more laurels,'' he said.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury would present the award to the girl on the occasion of Children's Day celebration in New Delhi on November 14.

UNI