Modi lauds Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, sets up chair in his name in BHU

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the setting up of a chair in the name of Tamil poet Subramania Bharati at the Banaras Hindu University. He was speaking on the occasion of virtually throwing open Sardardham Bhavan, set up at a cost of Rs 200 crore, in Ahmedabad.

Modi said that, on Bharati’s 100^th death anniversary, it has been decided to set up Subramania Bharati Chair on Tamil studies at BHU. The chair will be set up in the faculty of arts. The prime minister said that Tamil is one of the oldest languages and India is proud about it. He also observed that the poet focused on India’s unity and humankind’s unity.

Remembering the 9/11 attacks on this day, Modi said that September 9 also reminded us of Swami Vivekananda’s speech at Chicago in 1893.

Addressing Patidars, one of the most powerful communities, both politically and financially, the prime minister reminded them how Mahatma Gandhi took out Dandi Yatra in Gujarat and how Sardar Vallabhai Patel led the Kheda Satyagrah, leading to involvement of the masses.

The prime minister also mentioned how the people of India, especially the farmers, contributed by giving iron, when the idea of Statue of Unity was floated. Tall statue of a tall man, he remarked.

Speaking about Sardardham, Modi said that at youngsters will get inspired to live on the lines of ideals of Sardar Patel. The future of India, how will it be in 2047, will be shaped up at this place.

In the state where the Patidar agitation took place a few years ago under the leadership of Hardik Patel, now a Congress leader, the PM reminded that other than the backward classes, 10 per cent reservation has been given to those who needed it. Gujarat has made scope of reservation for Patidars who are not economically sound.

The Sardardham, built under the aegis of Vishwa Patidar Samaj, has hostel facilities for 2,000 girls and boys. Modi did not miss an opportunity to praise the Patidars and said that the community plays an important role. "Even when the Patidars are abroad, at the core is their own country’s interests," he said.