Will set up Tamil learning centres across India: Tarun Vijay

Coimbatore: BJP MP Tarun Vijay on Sunday said he would set up Tamil learning centres across the country, including in northern and north-eastern states of the country. He was in the city as part of Thiruvalluvar Ganga Payanam, a yatra he has undertaken from Kanyakumari on Saturday. The BJP MP was all praise for Tiruvalluvar and Tirukkural and said both unite India and they were symbols of national unity and Indian culture.
At the end of the yatra in Haridwar, he would install a 12ft statue of Thiruvalluvar that was made by artists in Namakkal on the banks of river Ganga on June 26. "I will invite all the political leaders from Tamil Nadu to be part of the installation ceremony," Tarun Vijay said. His next stop is in Chennai on Tuesday (June 21).
The saffron party leader told reporters that he would do his best to ensure that the biography of Thiruvalluvar was included in school sylabous across the country, besides holding essay writing competitions on Thiruvalluvar and Subramanya Bharathi. "I want to popularise Tamil literature and culture. While everyone speaks about Rani Lakshmi Bai, very few are aware about Rani Velu Nachiyar, who was the first Indian queen to fight against the British in the 18th century. There are many such women and many such kings, who are not talked about much," Tarun Vijay said.
Talking about his connection with Tamil Nadu and Thiruvalluvar, the BJP MP said Thiruvalluvar's teachings and works have changed his life and changed him. "He is the greatest uniting force and I think every North Indian college and school should learn Tirukkural. He not only unites the country but also all political parties. Even beyond borders, people are aware of Thiruvalluvar and his teachings. We also want to spread teachings of Avvaiyar, Aandal and all Tamil philosophers and kings," he said.