After language row, PM praises Tamil to assuage hurt feelings

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to Tamil philosopher Kaniyan Punlanguage and praised Tamil as the world’s oldest language during his address at the UN General Assembly on Friday. The PM’s words were seen as an attempt to assuage any hurt feelings against alleged imposition of Hindi, especially in states like Tamil Nadu which had recently witnessed protests.
“3000 years ago, a great poet of India, Kaniyan Pungundranar wrote in Tamil, the most ancient language of the world, ‘Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir, which means 'We belong to all places, and to everyone’. This sense of belonging beyond borders, is unique to India,” the PM said in his address.
“In the last 5 years, India has worked towards strengthening its centuries old great tradition of fraternity among nations and welfare of the world, which is indeed in line with the key objectives of the United Nations,” he said.
Even during the ‘Howdy Modi’ event at Houston, the PM had greeted people in eight different Indian languages to address the multi-cultural Indian diaspora in the US who came out in supportof him. He also referred to Swami Vivekananda’s address at the World Parliament of Religions. “One hundred and twenty five years ago, the great spiritual guru, Swami Vivekananda, gave this message to the world ... The message was ‘Harmony and Peace. And Not Dissension’,” Modi said. “Today, the message from the world’s largest democracy for the international community is still the same,” the PM added.
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References

1. ^{^} Narendra Modi (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
2. ^{^} Tamil Nadu (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
3. ^{^} United Nations (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
4. ^{^} Houston (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

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