Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission (TNHC)
▪ Madras High Court directed Tamil Nadu government to constitute the Tamil Nadu Heritage
Commission (TNHC) within four weeks.
▪ TNHC is meant to protect age-old buildings and premises not covered under central or state ancient monuments laws.
Background
▪ TNHC Act enacted in 2012, but remained dormant for 12 years.
▪ Brought into force on March 12, 2024.
▪ Commission not yet constituted even after the law came into effect.
Composition of TNHC
▪ Chaired by an eminent person committed to heritage conservation.
▪ Maximum 16 members, including ex-officio members: Tourism Secretary, Urban Development Secretary, Municipal Administration Secretary, Rural Development Secretary, Law Secretary.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act – 1958
▪ This Act was created to protect, maintain and study ancient temples, monuments, antiquities,
archaeological sites etc. in India.
Some places protected under this Act in Tamil Nadu:
▪ Pallava monuments of Mamallapuram
▪ Thanjavur Big Temple
▪ Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple
▪ Kanchipuram Gangaikonda Cholapuram
▪ Keezhadi Archaeological Site, etc.
ASI documents 10 Chola-era inscriptions
▪ The Epigraphy Division of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) documented 10 rare Cholaera inscriptions from the Vedapureeswarar temple at Therazhundur in Mayiladuthurai district.
▪ Door jamb inscriptions in Tamil, 12th Century CE, from Kulottunga Chola I (34th & 44th
regnal years).
o Record grant of five kāsu to Brahmins for lighting lamps (‘Tiruvilakku’ and
‘Sandhivilakku’).
▪ Mahamandapam inscriptions from Kulottunga Chola III record donations for
Tirumanjanam and fines on defaulters.
o One inscription from Rajaraja II records donations for Nundavilakku.
▪ Temple belongs to the early period of imperial Cholas.
Tamil Nadu Launches Co-Creation Fund to Assist Start-up Initiatives
▪ Tamil Nadu government to launch a ₹100 crore co-creation fund to invest in venture capital
funds that support local start-ups at the inauguration of the Global Startup Summit in
Coimbatore on 9, October.
▪ Managed by Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (StartupTN).
▪ Aim: Create new Venture Capital firms in the State and attract global investment.
▪ It will strengthen Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem and help achieve a $1 trillion economy by
2030.
▪ According to the Global Entrepreneurship Index Report 2024, Chennai is ranked 18th at the
Asian level.
Startup Growth in Tamil Nadu:
▪ Number of start-ups increased six-fold in four years: from 2,032 to 12,000.
▪ 50% of start-ups are women-led.
▪ Investment capacity grew from $1 million (2016) to $6 million (2024) per start-up.
▪ TN recognized as a model State by Atal Innovation Mission for innovation ecosystem.
TANSEED – Connecting Platform
▪ This scheme is being implemented to provide seed funding so that start-up companies in the
initial stage do not give up their efforts due to lack of financial assistance.
‘TAN Fund’ – Connecting Platform
▪ An investor connecting platform called ‘TAN Fund’ has been launched with the aim of
connecting entrepreneurial companies that need investment and investors.
▪ A primary action plan called ‘Vision 2035’ has been created to build Tamil Nadu as a suitable
leading state for start-up companies.
