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Chennai: Madras HC makes teaching Tirukkural compulsory in schools

Justice R. Mahadevan said that understanding the Tirukkural could shape an individual's character and this work was far superior to others as it was the third most translated after the Holy Quran and Bible.

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On Tuesday, the Madras High Court Bench ordered the State Government to make Tirukkural part of the school syllabus from the next academic year. A report in The Hindus states that students from Class VI to XII will now get to learn the Tirukkural couplets in depth. This was a directive by the HC in order to inculcate values in children using ancient literature. 

An order to this effect was passed by Justice R. Mahadevan to a writ petition filed by S. Rajarathinam, a 70-year-old retired Commercial Taxes Officer from Tuticorin district, through his counsel A. Saravanakumar in 2015, adds the report. Rajarathinam had asked for a separate subject to be introduced on this in the school curriculum. 

The daily adds that the judge has said that the 250 Tirukkural couplets dealing with sexual life can be excluded and the remaining 1080 couplets should be included in the school syllabus. The judge said “the couplets about friendship, hard work, good character, patience, tolerance, and confidence will guide them through even during the most difficult of times" should be taught. 

The judge observed that “a crime is committed or a law is violated when a person falls from morality”. He said that teaching moral science in schools today was not enough or not being taught as there was an increase in crime and matrimonial disputes. 

Justice R. Mahadevan said that understanding the Tirukkural could shape an individual's character and this work was far superior to others as it was the third most translated after the Holy Quran and Bible. He added, “no other philosophical or religious work has such moral and intellectual approach to problems of life.” He also pointed out that Mahatma Gandhi had learnt Tamil only to read the Tirukkural. 

He added, “The need of the hour, though may not be another Mahatma, but there is definitely a need for encouraging souls who can make this place a better place to live, in confirmation with the fundamental rights.”

 

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