Every community has a DNA that shapes its unique identity, said Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture, Ma Foi K. Pandiarajan.

Speaking at a conference organised by a caste group, Mr.Pandiarajan said the Nadar community has gained its uniqueness by its spirituality and its “sense of of business.” “Every man has a DNA. Similarly, each community has its unique DNA, bequeathed over generations,” he said.

Symbols of unity

Pointing to the trade of jaggery 200 years ago, transporting the produce on donkeys to other settlements, Mr. Pandiarajan said the Nadar community had several symbols of unity.

“The community has built Badhrakali temples wherever they go. This has been a symbol of unity. The sense of spirituality is strong,” he said. He cited examples of members of the community, such as Shiv Nadar, who developed one of the biggest IT companies in India with their “sense of business.”

He said the community had just 13 members in the Assembly. “The number of MLAs was 25 earlier. The number has been reducing over the years. This should change,” he said.