‘His works and ideals inspire innumerable people’: PM Modi pays tribute to Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday paid tributes to the famous Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day.

Prime Minister Modi praised Thiruvalluvar’s teachings, saying they inspire countless people and reflect the best of Tamil culture. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Today, on Thiruvalluvar Day, paying homage to the versatile Thiruvalluvar, whose works and ideals inspire innumerable people. He believed in a society that is harmonious and compassionate”.

Today, on Thiruvalluvar Day, paying homage to the versatile Thiruvalluvar, whose works and ideals inspire innumerable people. He believed in a society that is harmonious and compassionate. He personifies the best of Tamil culture. I urge you all to read the Tirukkural, which… pic.twitter.com/sXp1ROlwOh

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 16, 2026

He also encouraged everyone to read the Tirukkural to understand the poet’s wisdom. “He personifies the best of Tamil culture. I urge you all to read the Tirukkural, which gives a glimpse of the outstanding intellect of the great Thiruvalluvar”, the post read.

Thiruvalluvar Day is celebrated annually on January 16 in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to honour the poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also paid tribute to Thiruvalluvar on his birth anniversary. He said Thiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural offers timeless guidance on ethics, governance, compassion, and human values that continue to inspire people everywhere.

Respectful tribute on the birth anniversary of the great Tamil saint, poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar.

Through his immortal work Tirukkural, he gave the world profound guidance on ethics, governance, righteousness and compassion. His teachings transcend time, religion and… pic.twitter.com/7yPPe8r56W

— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) January 16, 2026

“Respectful tribute on the birth anniversary of the great Tamil saint, poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar,” Birla said in a post on X.

“Through his immortal work Tirukkural, he gave the world profound guidance on ethics, governance, righteousness and compassion. His teachings transcend time, religion and geography, continuing to inspire humanity with values of moral conduct, social harmony and human dignity”, the post read.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also paid tribute to Thiruvalluvar, saying the Thirukkural’s universal teachings inspire people across cultures and will continue to guide humanity. “Homage to the great philosopher, poet-saint and an unparalleled cultural icon Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day”, Pradhan said in a post on X.

“The universal ideas and values of Thirukural resonate across cultures and will forever be a source of knowledge and inspiration for humanity. His teachings will continue to guide us in our endeavours,” he said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin offered floral tributes to the Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day on Friday.

The day, observed on January 16 (on Leap Year as per Tamil Calendar) in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, commemorates Thiruvalluvar’s contribution to Tamil literature and philosophy.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Minister TRB Rajaa on Thursday urged the central government to start with “understanding” Tamil culture instead of simply giving “ceremonial praise”. His response came hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended Thiruvalluvar Day greetings to the people of Tamil Nadu. Rajaa, a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader, said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has a “fundamental issue” of not understanding Tamils and not making the effort to understand what they need or who they are.

“Tamil does not need ceremonial praise. It asks for knowledge and understanding. And Delhi should try to start with that. Happy Pongal to Hon HM and everyone in Delhi and am sure you can see that you can’t trust your local unit or your partner’s here for info on Tamils and to actually show what Tamils are in their full complex and astounding glory”, he responded to Shah on X.

He said that according to the local tradition, Pongal is to be celebrated on ‘Thai 1’, which is today, whereas Thiruvalluvar day is ‘Thai 2’, which is supposed to be on Friday. “When people ask me about the BJP and Tamil Nadu, I often point out that the fundamental issue is that the BJP simply does not understand Tamils and Tamil Nadu, and it doesn’t even take the effort to understand what we need and what we are! In Tamil Nadu, Pongal is Thai 1. Thiruvalluvar Day is Thai 2. Our calendar follows the sun and the soil, not fixed English dates”, the post read. (ANI)