TN to introduce weekly traditional attire day in government offices; CM Vijay to head Secretariat Tamil Sangam

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu will introduce a weekly traditional attire day across government offices, with Ministers and government employees required to wear veshti and shirt or saree on a designated day, School Education and Tamil Development Minister Rajmohan announced on Sunday, in a move aimed at promoting Tamil culture and supporting the handloom sector.

Speaking at the Tamil Nadu Day celebrations at the Government Museum in Egmore here, Rajmohan said Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had approved the proposal, which would cover the Secretariat and other government offices.

The Minister also announced that a Tamil Sangam would be established at the Secretariat, bringing existing Tamil associations under a common umbrella, with the Chief Minister serving as its president. He further said the government would organise World Tamil Conferences at venues across the world.

He also announced that Tamil-related competitions would be conducted in schools, adding that the initiative would encourage children to develop an interest in the language.

In a politically significant remark, Rajmohan alleged that an individual had offered him Rs 5 crore in return for securing the chairmanship of the Iyal Isai Nataka Manram. He said he had conveyed the offer through Layola Mani but made it clear that Vijay would not appoint an unsuitable candidate even if offered Rs 500 crore.

“The Chief Minister directed that the post be given to Pushpavanam Kuppusaamy, who was considered suitable, without accepting even a rupee,” he said.

Praising Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna, Rajmohan said he had convened a meeting with contractors and instructed them not to pay bribes. “Tamil Nadu has a Cabinet that does not accept bribes,” he asserted.

The celebrations marked November 1, 1956, when the present-day State was formed following the reorganisation of States on linguistic lines. The Vijay government has restored November 1 as Tamil Nadu Day while also retaining July 18, which marks the renaming of Madras State as Tamil Nadu, as a day of historical significance.

Later, Rajmohan attended ‘Punnagai 2026 – A Day with VIPs’, an event organised in the city to provide children with special needs a platform to showcase their talents, creativity and abilities.