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NT Bureau
Chennai, Aug 7:
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Commemoration Award to Tamil scholar R Selvaganapathy at a function held recently. Industrialist M A M Ramaswamy is also seen. |
Tamil scholar R Selvaganapathy was awarded 'Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar Birthday Commemoration Award' by Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar Memorial Trust.
It was given for his services for the development of Tamil language.
At the 103rd birthday celebration of Dr Rajah Sir M A Muthiah Chettiar of Chettinad, held here Sunday, justice S Jagadeesan handed over the award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a citation.
Speaking on the occasion, Jagadeesan lauded the services of Selvanapathy. He said he (Selvaganapathy) deserves the award for his excellent command over Tamil language. 'His passion for the language has made him achieve great heights', he said.
Noted speaker E Jayaraj who is also a functionary of the literary aassociation in Sri Lanka in his address said, 'only few spread the knowledge they have and he (Selvaganapathy) is one among them'. But he also expressed concern that today there are not many people who have keen interest in Tamil grammar and the development of the language.
Jayaraj also said there are many people in Sri Lanka who learnt their basics from Annamalai University and needless to say that there is also such an association in Jaffna.
In his acceptance speech, Selvaganapathy thanked the Trust for honouring him with the award. 'In the last 35 years, I have received a lot of awards, but this one is special for me', he said. Also recalling the past, he spoke about Rs 1,000 he got as an award from Tanjore Tamil University.
Selvaganapathy had also received the 'Kalaimamani' award from Government of Tamilnadu.
He expressed concern that these days there are not many Tamil scholars who were present in large numbers about 25 years ago.
Earlier, industrialist M
A M Ramaswamy welcomed the gathering. Honorary secretary of the trust,
A R Ramaswamy proposed a vote of thanks.