Latest news with #ThangamThennarasu
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Stalin launches book on ancient coins of T.N. penned by Minister Thangam Thennarasu
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin released two volumes of a book titled Varalaru Koorum Tamil Nattu Kaasugal (Coins that speak Tamil Nadu History) written by Minister for Finance Thangam Thennarasu and numismatic researcher Arumuga Sitharaman at the Secretariat in Chennai on Wednesday. The book sheds light on the different types of coins that have been in use in the Tamil landscape over the past 2,000 years and how they have evolved throughout history. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, Finance Secretary T. Udhayachandran, International Institute of Tamil Studies Director R. Balakrishnan, were among those who were present at the book launch event. Review meetings held The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister also held review meetings with Ministers and officials from the Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply, Commercial Taxes and Registration, Handlooms and Textiles, and Human Resources Management.
The Print
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Another round of Centre-south clash as Union minister says Keeladi report ‘needs scientific validation'
'The reports are not yet technically well supported. A lot remains to be done before recognising the findings presented by the archaeologist who conducted the survey. Let them come with more results, data and evidence. Because, a single finding cannot change the entire discourse,' he added. The report submitted to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) by archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna, who conducted the first two phases of excavation at Keeladai, lacked sufficient technical support, the culture minister told reporters Tuesday. Chennai: Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said that the archaeological findings from the Keeladi excavation site in Tamil Nadu require further scientific validation before it is given official recognition. The culture minister also expressed concerns over attempts to politicise the archaeological findings and using the new findings and discoveries to trigger the regional sentiments. 'People in the positions are trying to use it to grow their regional sentiments. That is not good. We have to be very cautious about it. Let archaeologists, historians and technical experts discuss this and let politicians leave it to them,' he said. Keeladi is an archaeological excavation site located on the banks of Vaigai river at Sivagangai district. The ASI unearthed over 20,000 artifacts and dated them back to 6th century BCE, which was supported by advanced dating techniques Tamil Nadu Minister for Archaeology Thangam Thennarasu responded to Shekhawat's statement, saying that history and truth would not wait for cheap politics. 'Even though world scientific studies agree that we are 5350 years old; technologically advanced, and have an ancient civilization, why is the Union Government in the same country so reluctant to admit it? Is it because of the unquenchable thirst to keep Tamils as second-class citizens forever,' Thangam Thennarasu questioned in his post on 'X'. 'When the Prime Minister said in Parliament that 'Sanskrit is the mother tongue of all Indian languages,' we didn't ask, 'What is the scientific evidence?' Because no such study has been conducted.' Madurai MP Su Venkatesan also took a dig at the Union minister, stating that he cannot do further examination since 'cow remains are not available now' 'Scientific institutions have conducted research on the history of Keezhadi and submitted reports. The bones of the cows found in Keezhadi have been examined. But since the cow remains are not available now, there is no opportunity for further examination, Minister,' the CPI(M) MP said in a post Tuesday on 'X'. Also Read: Tamil Nadu is waging a new North-South clash of civilisations— Sivagalai to Keezhadi Journey of Keeladi excavation In 2013-14, Superintending Archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna conducted a survey on the banks of the Vaigai river and identified as many as 293 potential archaeological sites including the Keeladi in Sivagangai district for excavation because of its proximity to Madurai district. In 2015, the ASI began its first phase of excavation at Pallichanthai Thidal in Keeladi where the archaeologists excavated artifacts suggesting an early urban settlement which includes brick stricture, and potteries, referring to the Sangam era. The next year, Amarnath unearthed about 5,800 artifacts which include potsherds inscribed with Tamil-Brahmi scripts, and other evidence of trade links. Carbon dating of the charcoal samples dated the settlement to around 200 BCE and some of the findings even suggested early dates of 6th century BCE. It was at this juncture that the ASI transferred the archaeologist to Guwahati circle. This sparked controversy in Tamil Nadu, with political parties alleging that the ASI was attempting to suppress the findings of archaeological sites which discovered the ancientness of Tamil. The ASI appointed archaeologist P.S Sriraman to continue the third phase of excavation in 2017 and concluded it in September that year stating that there were 'no significant findings' This again triggered widespread criticism from Tamil Nadu politicians. Subsequently, in 2017, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Madras High Court, urging the excavation be and publishing of Amarnath's report. The HC then directed the Tamil Nadu State department of Archaeology (TNSDA) to take over the excavations from the fourth phase onwards and continue the excavation. The TNSDA then unearthed about 5,820 artifacts, including brick structures and gold ornaments. Samples dated by Beta Analytic Lab in Miami dated the samples to be between 6th century BCE and 1st century BCE, pushing the Sangam Era further back. In 2023, Amarnath submitted a 982-page report on the first two phases of Keeladi excavation, which had reports on the evidence of urban structure, pottery and trade network. It was also said that the report placed the Keeladi settlement between 8th century BCE and 3rd century BCE. Two years after the submission of the report, on May 21, 2025, the ASI wrote to the archaeologist to revise his report to enhance authenticity and question the classification of historical period and dating the site earlier to 300 BCE. He refused to revise the report, saying that his report was backed by scientific evidence. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: In Stalin's announcement of panel for Tamil Nadu's autonomy, a dig at Centre & a push for 'all states'
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Centre's desire is to treat Tamils as secondary citizens, says Thangam Thennarasu
Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Tuesday wondered why the Union government had reservations in accepting the ancient civilisation of the Tamils, even though scientific tests had proved that it was 5,350 years old and that they possessed technical skills. 'Though we are in the same country, why does the government have reservations? Is it because of its unquenchable desire to treat Tamils as second-class citizens?' he asked on his social media page. Reacting to Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's claim that the findings at Keeladi were not adequately supported by scientific evidence, Mr. Thennarasu, who also holds the Archaeology portfolio, said the Centre first dismissed the discovery as insignificant before transferring the officer in charge of the Keeladi excavations. 'They (the Centre) also refused to allocate funds for the excavations and allowed the report to gather dust for two years. Now they say there is no adequate evidence. Every time they reject Tamil history, only the method of rejection changes,' he said. Mr. Thennarasu said that history and the truth it reveals would not wait for the Centre's cheap politics. 'They belong to the people and will eventually reach them. The world cannot remain dark just because a cat has closed its eyes,' he remarked.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Thangam Thennarasu thanks Centre for instructing RBI to reconsider gold loan guidelines
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Friday (May 30, 2025) thanked the Union Finance Ministry for instructing the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to ensure its draft regulations on gold loans do not adversely impact small borrowers. In a post on X, Mr. Thennarasu said the draft gold loan guidelines were anti-poor, hurting small borrowers. Referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging her intervention to advise the RBI to reconsider the proposed restriction in the Reserve Bank of India (Lending Against Gold Collateral) Directions, 2025, Mr. Thennarasu said it is a major victory for people, as a result of the relentless efforts of Mr. Stalin.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
TN floats tender to procure 10 lakh laptops for students
CHENNAI: In its effort to swiftly roll out the distribution of free laptops to eligible college students as promised in its 2025-26 budget, the Tamil Nadu government has floated a tender inviting bids for the procurement of 10 lakh laptops through international competitive bidding. The tender documents showed that the government intends to provide college students with laptops of fairly high specifications, including 8 GB RAM, 256 GB Solid State Drive, Integrated Graphics supporting 128 MB VRAM or higher, display of 14 or 15.6 inch and any processor equivalent to or above Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen3 with minimum of four cores, eight threads and hyperthreading feature, and launched between January 2022 and June 2024. Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu had said that the government aimed to distribute 20 lakh laptops over a two-year period with an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore for 2025-26. While the government had earlier announced that the college students would be able to choose whether they wanted a laptop or tablet, the tender documents indicate that the government is planning to distribute only laptops at the moment. Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu, coming under the Department of Information Technology, which has floated the tender, said any interested bidder should be able to supply a minimum of one lakh laptops along with laptop bags. Sources said multiple vendors could be chosen to supply the 10 lakh laptops in a short period of time. With the 2026 Assembly election less than a year away, the government intends to roll out the distribution at the earliest. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chaired a meeting in this regard on Monday.
