Thirukkural a holy book like Bible, Quran; State should publicise its availability in Braille: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court Wednesday observed that Thirukkural, the classic Tamil language text that consists of couplets propagating a virtuous way of life, is a holy book like Bible and Quran..Justice R Mahadevan of the Madurai bench, therefore, appreciated the Tamil Nadu government for making the book available in the Braille script, for the benefit of visually impaired."There can be no dispute that Thirukkural, a Holy book like the Bible and Quran, has been accepted to be universally applicable to every day life to every sphere and has been translated in more than 90 languages. It has been considered as the gem of moral philosophies covering all branches of life. It is also known as truthful utterances," the Court said.It, therefore, directed the State to give wide publicity to the fact that the State has made available the ancient Sangam literature and Thirukkural in Braille script in Tamil language.This will ensure that that more people would come to know about it thus enabling visually challenged to read the book and "enjoy the culture and glory of this land." "This court deems it appropriate to direct the respondent authorities to give wide publication about the availability of sangam literature, including Thirukkural in braille form in Tamil language, so as to enable all the persons visually challenged, to read, recite, understandand enjoy the glory and culture of this land," the high court said. Advocate R Alagumani appeared for the petitioner.Government Pleader P Thilak Kumar appeared for the respondents. [Read Order] .The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by one P Ramkumar, a visually challenged person, who had sought directions to the State government to bring out Braille Version of Thirukkural in Tamil and English languages with standard interpretation to ensure the visually challenged people can read and recite and enjoy the essence of Thirukkural on their own.During the hearings, the State government filed a counter affidavit saying that the State, through its Tamil Development Department, has taken earnest steps to promote and disseminate Tamil literature, including the Thirukkural, to all people including the physically challenged.The State said that the Indian Association for the Blind in Chennai and Madurai had published in Braille both in Tamil and in English, and was selling the same at a concessional rate.Besides, the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities was distributing the book of Thirukkural in Braille to the visually impaired persons free of cost, the government said..In view of the above, the court noted that no further action was warranted in response to the prayer made by the petitioner, except to ensure that publicity is given regarding the availability of the book."This court deems it appropriate to direct the respondent authorities to give wide publication about the availability of sangam literature, including Thirukkural in braille form in Tamil language, so as to enable all the persons visually challenged, to read, recite, understand and enjoy the glory and culture of this land," the Court said. .Advocate R Alagumani appeared for the petitioner. Government Pleader P Thilak Kumar appeared for the respondents.