T.N. govt. orders ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ to be mandatorily rendered first at official events

The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday issued an order mandating the rendition of the State song ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ (Invocation to Mother Tamil), first before the commencement of programmes in all educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions in the State.Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar issued the order following the unanimous adoption of a resolution moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in the Assembly on August 10, mandating the rendition of ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ at the beginning of official events.The move comes against the backdrop of a letter from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on July 9, asking the States and Union Ministries to “strictly comply” with its January 28 directive that the National Song, ‘Vande Ma