PM extends Pongal greetings, Highlights Tamil language

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated 11 government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and asserted the future will belong to societies that invest in healthcare. He then extended Pongal wishes in Tamil to the people.
After virtually inaugurating the medical institutions, Modi said the COVID-19 pandemic has reaffirmed the importance of the health sector and listed out the various health and medical education-related initiatives of his government. “The once in a lifetime covid-19 pandemic has reaffirmed the importance of the health sector. The future will belong to societies which invest in health care. The Government of India has brought many reforms in the health sector,” he said in his virtual address. Apart from the medical colleges, he also inaugurated the new building of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil. Speaking on this, Modi said that the institute will make Tamil studies more popular. “It will also give a wider canvas to students and researchers. I am told that the Central Institute of Classical Tamil intends to translate Thirukkural in various Indian and foreign languages. This is a good step,” he said.
Stressing on his admiration towards the Tamil language, the PM said, “I have always been fascinated by the richness of the Tamil language and culture. One of the happiest moments of my life was when I got a chance to speak a few words in the world’s oldest language, Tamil, at the United Nations. The Sangam classics are our window to the rich society and culture of ancient times. Our Government also had the honour of setting up the ‘Subramania Bharati Chair’ on Tamil Studies at Banaras Hindu University. Located in my Parliamentary constituency, this will drive greater curiosity about Tamil. When I launched a translation of Thirukkural in Gujarati, I knew that the rich thoughts of this timeless work would connect with the people of Gujarat and drive greater interest in ancient Tamil literature.”