In a landmark ceremony held at the Secretariat in Chennai on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the Tamil Nadu government officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with France’s Centre-Val de Loire region. This strategic partnership, witnessed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and France’s Consul General in Puducherry and Chennai, Etienne Rolland-Piegue, is poised to significantly enhance cultural exchange and boost tourism between the two regions.
This pioneering agreement aims to streamline and encourage the movement and collaboration of artists, cultural organizations, and institutions between Tamil Nadu and Centre-Val de Loire. Key areas of focus include sharing expertise and best practices in tourism development and public policy, preserving traditional knowledge, advancing archaeological practices, and maintaining world-class museums, fostering a rich tapestry of shared interests.
Adding to the celebratory mood, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also took the opportunity to honor seven exceptional artisans with the prestigious Living Craft Treasure Award. This esteemed recognition celebrates skilled craftspeople over the age of 65 and includes a generous cash prize of ₹1 lakh, an 8-gram gold medal, a traditional Thamirapathiram plaque, and a certificate. The deserving recipients for 2024-25 were N. Rani Vincent, K.B. Veezhinathan, Ilavarasi Chokkar, Kuppu Subramani, D. Ramani, N. Poovammal, and N. Durairaj.
Furthermore, ten talented artisans over 30 years old were presented with the Poompuhar State Awards for 2024-25. These awards acknowledge their outstanding contributions to craftsmanship, granting each recipient a cash prize of ₹50,000, a 4-gram gold medal, a Thamirapathiram, and a certificate. The honorees included J. Venkatraman, C. Ramesh, M. Kuppusamy, T. Gopalakrishnan, K. Murugan, R. Harikrishnan, S. Rehmath Meeral Beevi, C. Sri Kumari, P. Megantu, and R. Gokulnath Reddy.
The significant occasion was also graced by the presence of Minister T.M. Anbarasan, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, and several other senior officials, underscoring the importance of these initiatives for Tamil Nadu’s cultural and economic development.