Chennai, May 1 (NationPress) The Tamil Virtual Academy is preparing to unveil a specialized website that will showcase an extensive collection of Tamil names for newborns, complete with their meanings.

This initiative is designed to support parents in choosing significant Tamil names while fostering the preservation and appreciation of Tamil language and culture.

The announcement follows a growing appeal from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, urging families to embrace their Tamil identity.

During a recent public gathering in Nagapattinam, Stalin encouraged newlyweds to consider having children and naming them in Tamil.

He expressed his concerns that future delimitation exercises based on population could impact Tamil Nadu's representation in Parliament.

“Previously, I advised newlyweds to wait and plan their families,” Stalin remarked. “But now I am urging them to have children right away -- and to choose Tamil names.”

Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin echoed this sentiment, appealing to couples to select Tamil names for their children. He connected this appeal to broader initiatives aimed at safeguarding the Tamil language from perceived encroachments, particularly through the National Education Policy and other central government measures.

“I urge all newlyweds to give their children beautiful Tamil names,” he stated. “There are attempts being made to indirectly impose Hindi -- by modifying words in the Tamil Thaai Vaazthu (state song) and promoting Hindi through the education policy. But these efforts are failing.”

The Tamil Virtual Academy's decision to develop this naming website was inspired by a suggestion from Nithan Chitrarasu, a DMK supporter, on the social media platform ‘X’.

He recalled a previous occasion at the wedding of Mylapore MLA D. Velu’s daughter, where Stalin had encouraged the couple to choose Tamil names for their future offspring.

Chitrarasu highlighted the absence of a centralized, user-friendly resource for Tamil names and advocated for the creation of one.

Stalin responded positively, promising prompt action.

The Tamil Virtual Academy later confirmed that the website would be launched soon as a part of its digital library, ensuring easy access to a curated list of Tamil names and their meanings.

Originally founded as the Tamil Virtual University under Section 27 of the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act, 1975, the Academy was renamed the Tamil Virtual Academy on July 16, 2010. It operates under the Information Technology and Digital Services Department and focuses on online Tamil education, digitization of Tamil literature, and the promotion of Tamil computing.

The Academy also runs initiatives like the ‘Theera Kaadhal Thirukkural’ project to popularize the teachings of the Thirukkural.