Senior Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram today announced the launch of a trust aimed at encouraging young budding writers in Tamil, asserting that it was his personal initiative and nothing political.
"Ezhuthu is being founded in my personal capacity alongwith some friends and it has nothing to do with any political party or politics," he told reporters here.
The trust would encourage young budding writers in Tamil to publish their books and promote quality Tamil literature, he said adding "This is my long time desire."
Chidambaram ruled out writing an autobiography and said he had not become so old to venture into it.
"No..I have not become so old to write an autobiography," he said when asked if it was true that he was going to publish his autobiography.
In reply to a question, he said he has no idea of publishing his autobiography through "Ezhuthu."
The trust, a not for profit initiative, will fund printing, publication and sale and distribution of quality literary works of budding Tamil writers.
He explained how it was a painful task for writers to bring out their first creative work into print and expressed concern over the scenario.
Creative literature in Tamil like poetry, short stories, novel and drama will be considered for publication by the trust after scrutiny by experts, he added.
"I will be happy if I could publish 10-12 books in a year." Efforts will be made to distribute books through online and government libraries as well besides other avenues.
Leading lights in Tamil literary world Avvai Natarajan, Mu Mehta, lyricist Vairamuthu and Muthaiah have agreed to be trustees of the trust, he informed.
