Tamil culture crucial part of India’s broader cultural identity: Vice President

Vice President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan on Friday said Tamil culture formed an important part of India’s broader cultural identity and that this was why Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued to speak about the glory of the Tamil language and culture across global forums.

Speaking at a felicitation ceremony organised for him by the Bharat Ratna MGR Trust at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai, Mr. Radhakrishnan said the idea of hospitality and showing respect for others remained an integral part of Tamil culture. Quoting a verse from the Bhagavad Gita, he said one must perform one’s duty without expecting rewards. When duty was carried out with sincerity and commitment, its rewards would inevitably follow, he said.

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran, former minister H. V. Hande, Justice (Retired) P. Jothi Mani, Justice (Retired) T. N. Vallinayagam, educationists A. C. Shanmugam, T. R. Paarivendhar and Isari K. Ganesh, former V-C of M.G.R. Medical University Sudha Seshayyan, cardiologist V. Chokkalingam and actor K. Bhagyaraj were among those present.

Later, Mr. Radhakrishnan took part in a civic reception and banquet hosted by Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi at Lok Bhavan. Speaking at the event, Mr. Radhakrishnan said success should not be allowed to go into once’s mind too much and should be taken as it is. Similarly, failure is a part of life, and one should not feel dejected. He also said if there was no difference of opinion then there was no democracy. But the way one differed with other should better the society.

In his address, the Governor called Mr. Radhakrishnan as a grounded, simple and easily accessibile person cutting across political parties with different ideologies. Chief Justice of the Madras High Court Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, Ministers Thangam Thennarasu and S. M. Nasar, Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and officials from the Tamil Nadu government were among those present.