''Thirukkural'' translation to be made available in 30 more languages by Jan 2026, says official
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) (PTI): The Central Institute of Classical Tamil has started a new initiative to translate the classical Tamil text, Thirukkural, into 30 more languages, a top official of the institute said.
Thirukkural, which consists of 1,330 aphoristic couplets that are divided into three parts -- on virtue, material world and romantic love -- and is lauded as having universal relevance beyond its time.
The text has so far been translated into 34 languages, including 25 Indian languages, said R Chandrasekaran, Director, Central Institute of Classical Tamil, an autonomous institution established by the Ministry of Education, Chennai, after Tamil was declared a classical language in 2004.
"In addition to the 34 languages in which Tirukkural is already available, we have a plan to make it available in 30 more languages, including 23 Indian languages by Pongal 2026," he told PTI.
The Institute wants to see Thirukkural in 100 languages by August 2026, Prof Chandrasekaran said.
"That will convey to the world the value and specialities of Thirukkural to the people living across the globe," he said.
To a question, he said that the Centre wants to expand the reach of Thirukkural and its values by taking it to the people living in various parts of the globe, and hence the institute translates the text into more languages.
Some of the Indian languages into which Thirukkural is to be translated are non-scheduled languages. For example, it will be translated into a language spoken by the Irular tribe living in the Ootacamund, Nilgiris district, he said.
"We have released the translation of Tirukkural in scheduled languages already. Now, we are releasing it in non-scheduled languages," he explained.
To another query, he said some of the foreign languages into which Thirukkural is proposed to be translated include German, French and Spanish.
"We are tentatively planning to launch the translation of Thirukkural into non-scheduled languages by January 2026", he said.
It may be noted that January 15, the second day of Pongal festival (and Tamil month 'Thai'), is celebrated as Thiruvallurvar day in Tamil Nadu.
Referring to the launch of the multilingual translation of 'Tholkappiam', the oldest Tamil grammar book, by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on December 2 during the inauguration of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, Chandrasekharan said the institute has taken up the initiative to cater to a wider section of the people.
"It has been translated into 10 languages, including four Indian languages viz. Odia, Assamese, Urdu and Tulu," he said.
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Telangana to name roads after Ratan Tata, Donald Trump
Hyderabad (PTI): The Telangana government on Sunday said it has decided to name the upcoming greenfield radial road at the proposed RRR in honour of the late industrialist Ratan Tata.
In another proposal, a high-profile road along the United States Consulate General in Hyderabad will be named ‘Donald Trump Avenue’, the government said in a release.
The state government will write to the Union Ministry of External Affairs and the US Embassy to inform them of the plans.
Earlier this year, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, while addressing the annual US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) conclave in Delhi, had proposed naming key roads in Hyderabad after leading global corporations.
Additionally, a prominent stretch will be named ‘Google Street’ to recognise the global impact and contribution of Google and Google Maps.
The road along Google’s upcoming campus, set to be the company’s largest outside the US, in Hyderabad’s Financial District, will receive this recognition, the release said.
The proposals are part of the Telangana government’s initiative to position the state as a hub for innovation-driven development.
Microsoft and Wipro are also expected to receive recognition in the city’s topography, with a Wipro Junction and a Microsoft Road, in line with the chief minister’s vision, the release added.
The state government is considering dedicating additional roads in honour of distinguished individuals and corporations.
