Attempt to create 8,000 page book on Tamil

Two Coimbatore youths today started writing a Tamil book with 8,000 pages with aim to enter into the Guinness Book of World Record.

The book after completion was scheduled to presented to President Pratibha Patil during her visit to the city for inaugurating World Tamil Classical Conference beginning on June 23. The book would have contents from various Tamil epics, arts and cultural pieces and also poems by eminent writers, Shaktivel, the brain behind the attempt, told reporters.

It would also contain 20 collection of poems written by him and his friend Babu Charles and would provide relevant drawings, with pencil and colour paintings, 32-year old Shaktivel said. Shaktivel, an industrialist, has already entered into the Record Book, by creating a miniscule `Thirukkural,` collection of Tamil verses written by Saint Poet, Thiruvalluvar and one-inch football during the World Football Cup.

Full report here Zeenews

Tamils distancing themselves from India

In the Asian region, hardly any people have had such close cordiality as the Tamils of Sri Lanka with the people of Tamil Nadu and by extension with India.Ethnic affinity, linguistic homogeneity, cultural identity and physical proximity, all conduced to a remarkable harmony if not solidarity. Today all what remains is an edifice in ruins. Friends have turned foes. Admirers have become detractors. Where a bridge stood, there is now a chasm. Never the twain shall meet is the verdict of the percipient. Forget the North, turn East to China is the voice of those who dare.

Intellectual nourishment of the Tamils when they are young, commences with Tamil literature. Poets of high intellect spanning two millennia nurtured us. Judged by any standard, Thiruvalluvar of the first century and Bharathy of the twentieth were of world calibre. In between them were poets and scholars of great renown. The independence movement in India brought forth a galaxy that dazzled us with their brilliance. Gandhi and Nehru, Patel and Bose, Tagore and Aurobindo were scholars and leaders who commanded our admiration. We coveted their aura and lived in a world of make belief.

Full report here Guardian