Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), June 23 (ANI): President Pratubha Devisingh Patil inaugurated the five-day World Classical Tamil Conference here on Wednesday.

Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

People from different countries are attending the conference, and Tamil associations of the US, Switzerland and Malaysia have sent their representatives to the event.

President Patil praised the Tamil language and said it reflected the country’s heritage.

“As our nation progresses economically, we have sought to follow an inclusive growth paradigm so that growth brings benefits to all sections of society,” she said.

“With special focus on rural areas, our developmental efforts are becoming increasingly participatory with more powers devolving on Panchayati Raj institutions,” Patil added.

Musician A R Rehman scored the music to lyrics written by State Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for the theme song.

Leading singers,including veterans T M Sounderrajan and P Suseela and present generation singers such as Shruti Hassan, Karnatic Musician Soumya and Yuvan Shankar Raja also lent their voices. (ANI)