Devendrakula Velalars to get back heritage name

The Centre has determined to name members of the Devendrakula Velalar group by their heritage name and never by the names listed on the Schedule of the Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned right here on Sunday. The draft Gazette to amend the Schedule to appropriate their name as Devendrakula Velalar had been accredited.

The announcement comes a couple of months forward of the Assembly election in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. At a operate to unveil a number of tasks right here, Mr. Modi mentioned the draft Gazette could be positioned earlier than Parliament initially of the subsequent session. He additionally thanked the Tamil Nadu authorities for the detailed research on this demand. The State authorities had been backing the demand for a very long time, he mentioned.

Recalling his assembly with representatives of the group in 2015 in Delhi, he mentioned: “Their sadness could be seen. Colonial rulers took away their pride and dignity. For decades nothing happened. They told me that they had pleaded with governments but nothing changed. I told them one thing. I said their name Devendra rhymes with my own name: Narendra. I understand their emotions.”

The choice to name all of them Devendrakula Velalar was greater than a change of name, he contended. “It is about justice, dignity and opportunity. We all have lots to learn from the culture of the Devendrakula community. They celebrate harmony, friendship and brotherhood. Theirs was a civilisational movement. It shows their self-confidence and self-pride.”

Taking pleasure in being the one Indian Prime Minister to have visited Jaffna in Sri Lanka, Mr. Modi mentioned: “Our government has always taken care of the welfare and aspirations of our Tamil brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka.” Through improvement works, India had been making certain the welfare of Sri Lanka’s Tamil group, he mentioned, recalling the 50,000 homes constructed for the displaced Tamils in north-eastern Sri Lanka and 4,000 homes within the plantation areas.

“I feel happy to share that India has built the Jaffna Cultural Centre, which we hope to open soon. The issue of Tamil rights has also been taken up by us consistently with Sri Lankan leaders. We are always committed to ensuring that they live with equality, justice peace and dignity,” he mentioned.

‘Long-standing problem’

Holding that the issue confronted by Tamil Nadu fishermen was long-standing, Mr. Modi mentioned: “But let me assure you that my government will always protect their rightful interests. We have ensured early release whenever fishermen are apprehended in Sri Lanka. More than 1,600 fishermen have been released during our tenure. Currently, there is no Indian fisherman in Sri Lankan custody. Similarly, 313 boats have also been released, and we are working for the return of the rest of the boats.”

Pointing to a Union Budget proposal, Mr. Modi mentioned trendy fishing harbours would come up at 5 centres within the nation, together with in Chennai. “We are optimistic about seaweed farming. This will improve the lives of coastal communities. For seaweed cultivation, a multi-purpose seaweed park will come up in Tamil Nadu.” India was making the world’s struggle in opposition to COVID-19 stronger, he mentioned. “We have to keep doing whatever we can to develop our nation and make the world a better place. This is what the makers of our Constitution wanted us to do.”