Life size statue of Thiruvalluvar unveiled in NY

NEW YORK- A life size statue of Tamil poet and savant Thiruvalluvar who gave the famous couplets 'Thirukkural' was unveiled in Tamil Christian Church in Middle Village, Queens, New York by Dr VG Santhosam, prominent industrialist of Chennai and President of World Tamil Association.

The bronze statue decorating the church premises is donated by VGP World Tamil Sangam headed by prominent businessman and Chairman of VGP Group of Companies and VGP Golden Beech Resorts in Chennai Dr VG Santosam. So far he has installed 36th statues of Thiruvalluvar in India and across the globe in different countries such as Australia, Malaysia, South Africa, France, Sri Lanka. The 35th statue was unveiled in Toronto last week.

Thiruvalluvar was a Tamil poet-saint known as the author of the Tirukkural (Sacred Couplets) - a collection of couplets on ethics, political and economical matters and love, considered a masterpiece of human thought. It is compared in India and abroad to the Holy Bible, John Milton';s Paradise Lost and the works of Plato. Thiruvalluvar is thought to have lived sometime between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century BC in Tamil Nadu. The idea of installing Thiruvalluvar statue in New York was conceived when America Tamil Sangam honored Dr Santosam at an event held in Tamil Christian Church in New York.

At a function held at the Tamil Christian Church in Queens, pastor of the church Rev. Sundar Deva Prasad, Proprietor of Saravana Bhavan restaurants in NY and NY Dr Ramiah, Swami Vipulananda of World Saivite Association and Karpoora Sundara Pandian, a former IAS officer and secretary to late chief ministers MGR and Jayalalitha participated

Photo caption

Karpoora Sundara Pandian, Dr Sundar Deva Prasad, V G Santhosam, Dr Ramiah and Swami Vipulananda