Tamil Publishers have observed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Karunanithi’s birth day as World Tamil Book Day and offered 10 % discount for the readers on Tuesday.
According to them it was a mark of respect to the leader who had increased the number of books purchased by the public libraries from 600 to 1,000, formed a welfare board for publication and allied industries and ordered setting up of a Rs 100 crores world-class library.
The decision to celebrate the Chief Minister’s birth day, June 3 rd, as World Tamil Book Day was taken by Tamil Nadu Tamil Pathippalar Sangam (Tamil Nadu Tamil Publisher’s Association), ‘A government order enabling purchase of books in 100 temples, an order to allot two shops at subsidized rent in every government bus terminus to sell Tamil books, a government order to present books to dignitaries instead of shawls at the Government functions have prompted the Tamil publishers to make such a decision.’ said Mr.Gandhi Kannadasan, president of the association.
He also said that the World Tamil Book Day has been celebrated this year only in Chennai and it was planned on short notice. The day will be celebrated throughout the world from next year.
The Tamil nadu Chief Minister M.Karunanithi will attend a function on 10 th June organized by the association to formally lauch the World Tamil Book Day. From next year 3rd June will bring many surprises and programmes to the Tamil readers.
It may be noted that UNESCO has been celebrating April 23 rd World Book and Copy right Day throughout the world.The celebration seeks to promote reading and the protection of IPR.