PM Modi Gifts Russian Translation of Thirukkural to President Putin at BRICS Summit

Key Highlights & Summary

 • Cultural Diplomacy at 18th BRICS Summit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Tamil literary masterpiece Thirukkural during bilateral talks in New Delhi. 

• Published by CICT: The edition was published by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), an autonomous institution functioning under the Union Ministry of Education.

 • Multilingual Publishing Push: CICT has brought out translations of Thirukkural in 22 official Indian languages and over half a dozen foreign languages to promote Tamil heritage globally. 

 • Textual Architecture: Composed by the revered Tamil poetphilosopher Thiruvalluvar, the text comprises 1,330 short couplets (kurals) organized into 133 chapters (adhikarams). 

• Tripartite Philosophical Division: The work is structured into three distinct sections reflecting the traditional goals of human life (Purusharthas): Aram (Virtue/Dharma), Porul (Polity and Wealth/Artha), and Inbam (Love/Kama). 

• Global and Historical Reach: Celebrated for its secular character and universal human ethics, the text historically influenced Russian literary titan Leo Tolstoy, shaping his philosophy of non-violent resistance. 

Essential Definitions

 • Thirukkural: A seminal post-Sangam classic of Tamil literature consisting of 1,330 two-line poetic couplets composed in the Kural Venba meter. 

• Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT): An autonomous national research body located in Chennai under the Ministry of Education, mandated to conduct advanced research and international dissemination of classical Tamil literature. 

• Aram, Porul, and Inbam: The three core thematic divisions of Thirukkural covering individual righteousness (Aram), statecraft, economy, and public governance (Porul), and psychological values and marital love (Inbam).

 Legal and Constitutional Framework 

• Article 351, Constitution of India: Authorizes the Union Government to promote and preserve India\'s linguistic diversity and composite heritage across domestic and international domains.

 • Classical Language Status: Tamil was the first language in India to be officially declared a \'Classical Language\' in 2004, establishing statutory mechanisms and research support under the Ministry of Education.

 • Article 51A(f), Constitution of India: Outlines the Fundamental Duty of every Indian citizen to value and preserve the rich heritage of the nation\'s composite culture. 

• Eighth Schedule to the Constitution: Lists Tamil as an official language of the Republic of India, supporting legislative frameworks for cross-cultural translation initiatives.

 Conclusion Gifting a translated volume of Thirukkural at the BRICS Summit highlights the power of soft-power diplomacy rooted in ancient Indian philosophy. The text\'s universal focus on righteous governance, statecraft, and human ethics reaffirms India’s commitment to bridging international partnerships through shared cultural values.

 UPSC Relevance 

• GS Paper I: Indian Culture & Literature (Salient aspects of Classical Tamil Literature, PostSangam Period, Thiruvalluvar’s Philosophical Contributions). 

• GS Paper II: Foreign Policy & Cultural Diplomacy (Use of Soft Power in Bilateral and Multilateral Summits like BRICS). • Key Focus: Thirukkural Structural Organization (Aram, Porul, Inbam), CICT Institutional Mandate, Classical Language Framework in India.