O R D E R

N. KIRUBAKARAN, J.

"Tamil is the oldest language.

It is older than Sanskrit and is beautiful.

I can only say "Vanakkam" and I regret I cannot go beyond this"

said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a group of school students at "Pariksha Pe Charcha Programme" in Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, in February, 2018. It is not only the Hon'ble Prime Minister, but Indologists are also of the opinion that Tamil is one of the ancient languages in the world having literary history of more than 2500 years. Though Prakrit language of "Ashokan Edicts" which is stated to be third century BC dated from 268 BC to 232 BC is considered to be oldest in India, it is scientifically proved by carbon dating from the samples of potsherds inscribed with Tamil letters taken from Keezhadi, Porunthal, Alagankulam and Kodumanal that Tamil is one of the ancient languages of the World and the most ancient language of India. The samples of potsherds which contain Tamil alphabets taken from Kodumanal date back to fifth century BC dated 480 BC. Similarly, samples taken from Keezhadi would prove that Tamil language has been in existence as language of people since 6th century dated 580 BC. Pot