Karunanidhi calls upon Tamils to celebrate 'Thai'

Chennai, Feb 10 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has called upon Tamils all over the world to celebrate the first day of Tamil month ''Thai'', which has been declared the Tamil New Year Day, like Deepavali.

Speaking at a felicitation function organised by the Sangam Tamizh Peravai here last night, he said celebrating the first day of Tamil month as Tamil New year would mark the the rise and revolution of Tamils.

Thanking a large gathering of Tamil scholars, who approved his Tamil New Year Day announcement, he said people must consider it a happy occasion and celebrate it by lighting 'deepams', drawing 'kolams' and wearing new dresses.

He recalled his contribution to the introduction of a continuous calendar in the form of Thiruvalluvar Year for Tamils and said he had no ill-will or hatred towards the months and years based on the Sanskrit calendar.

The presence of Tamil scholars from India and abroad at this function was a recognition for 'Thai' as the first month of the Tamil calendar.

UNI GV YA KP1204