TAMIL NADU AFFAIRS

Initiatives/ Scheme

Chief Minister’s co-working and learning spaces

  • Context: Six chief minister’s coworking spaces across North Chennai, built by the previous DMK govt, will soon be opened to the public. 

About Chief Minister’s co-working and learning spaces

    • The “Mudhalvar Padaippagam” (Chief Minister’s co-working and learning spaces) is ideal for TNPSC preparation. 
  • Built by the GCC and CMDA, these facilities offer budget-friendly study environments starting at just ₹5 per session for students.

Key Features and Pricing

  • Study Halls: Cost ₹5 per session (approx. 3.5 hours) for exam aspirants.
  • Co-Working Desks: Ideal if you need a quiet workspace, priced at ₹50 for a half-day, ₹100 for a full day, or ₹2,500 for a monthly pass.
  • Amenities: Features air conditioning, Wi-Fi, reference books, computer work desks, ambient lighting, and rooftop cafeterias.

 

History & Culture

New Chola-Era Stone Inscriptions – Ariyalur

  • Context: A bas-relief sculpture dating to the 11th century and three inscriptions of various ages were found in the Soundaresvarar temple near Perambalur. 
  • A research team that analyzed the antiquities found that they record the temple’s renovation and land endowment for the temple’s maintenance.

 About New Chola-Era Stone Inscriptions

  • Three new stone inscriptions related to Rajadhiraja I, the grandson of Emperor Rajaraja Chola I, have been discovered at the Sri Sundareswarar Temple in Kolathur, Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu.
  • One of the inscriptions is believed to belong to the reign of Rajadhiraja I (1044–1052 AD).
  • Another inscription shows that the temple continued to exist during the Pandya and Vijayanagara periods.
  • These inscriptions provide valuable historical information about the Sri Sundareswarar Temple and the Chola Empire.
  • During the archaeological study, fossils were also found in the area surrounding the temple.

 

World Tamil Conference

  • Background: The Government of Tamil Nadu plans to host the World Tamil Conference again after a gap of 15 years.

Objective of the Conference

  • The primary objective of the conference is to unite Tamils ​​living across the globe and showcase the Tamil language, literature, heritage, history, and culture on a global stage, while also fostering the exchange of knowledge among Tamil scholars and academicians.

World Tamil Conference to be Held Again

  • After a hiatus of 15 years, the Government of Tamil Nadu is planning to host the World Tamil Conference once more. 
  • Preliminary work has now commenced, following the World Classical Tamil Conference held in Coimbatore in 2010.

World Tamil Conferences and Venues:

  • First World Tamil Conference – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia –  1966
  • Second World Tamil Conference – Chennai, India – 1968
  • Third World Tamil Conference – Paris, France – 1970
  • Fourth World Tamil Conference – Jaffna, Sri Lanka – 1974
  • Fifth World Tamil Conference – Madurai, India – 1981
  • Sixth World Tamil Conference – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia –  1987
  • Seventh World Tamil Conference – Port Louis, Mauritius – 1989
  • Eighth World Tamil Conference – Thanjavur, India – 1995
  • Ninth World Tamil Conference – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 2015
  • Tenth World Tamil Conference – Chicago, USA – 2019
  • Eleventh World Tamil Conference – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia –  2023