S. M. Diaz
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S. M. Diaz | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1919 |
| Died | 2000 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Inspector-General of Police |
| Known for | TranslatingTirukkuralinto English |
| Spouse | Agnes Diaz |
S. M. Diaz(1919 – 2000) was the Inspector-General of Police ofTamil Nadu.He was also a professor of economics and the first director of theSardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academythat trains officers who are inducted into theIndian Police Service.He is known for translating theTirukkuralintoEnglish.
Biography
[edit]S. M. Diaz was born inManapad,Tamil Nadu,in 1919 in aParavarfamily.[1]He graduated inmathematicsfrom St. Joseph's College,Tiruchirappalli,obtaining an M.A.[2]He began his career as a professor of mathematics at the same college. In 1949, Diaz topped the first batch at the National Police Academy,Mt. Abu.Later in 1975, he became the director of the academy and was instrumental in moving it to Hyderabad, where it was renamed Sardar Vallabhai Patel Police Academy. He also set up a police unit in the Mt. Abu campus comprising the service staff made redundant by the Academy's move.[2]
In 1977, Diaz organised the Department of Criminology at theUniversity of Madras,and headed the department until 1983, thereafter continuing his service as visiting professor. During this period, in his 70s, Diaz obtained his PhD incriminology.In 1992, he founded the Probus Club of Madras.[2]
Diaz was an avid reader of theTirukkuṟaḷ,the ancient Tamil classic onmorality.[3]Along with his career-oriented works on prison reforms, social equality, women's empowerment and victimology, his complete English translation of the Kural text, which was published in two volumes, led to his being described as the "Philosopher-Policeman."[2]He first translated Book I (Aram) of the Tirukkural and published it in 1982. In the next 10 years, he translated the second (Porul) and third books (Inbam) of the Kural text. In 2000, he published the entire translation in two volumes, which was published by N. Mahalingam of the Ramanandha Adigalar Foundation inCoimbatore.It was reprinted four times within the next five years.[3]
Diaz was praised by former IGP of Tamil Nadu F.V. Arul for his bandobust scheme for the 1968 Mahamakam Festival inKumbakonam,who described him as "an officer without crease in his uniform as in his conduct" in the terms ofVictor Hugo,who first used the phrase inLes Miserablesto characterise InspectorJavert.[2]
Diaz retired as Inspector General of Prisons, Tamil Nadu. In 2000, he died in an accident at the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Police Academy's silver jubilee celebrations on theHyderabadcampus.[2]
Works
[edit]- S. M. Diaz. (2000).Thirukkural: English Translation and Explanation(2 vols.). Coimbatore: Ramananda Adigalar Foundation
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^"S.M. Diaz, IPS".Global Paravar. 4 December 2011.Retrieved6 November2017.
- ^abcdefMuthiah, S. (5 May 2003)."A philosopher-policeman".The Hindu.Archived fromthe originalon 23 June 2003.Retrieved3 November2017.
- ^abA. A. Manavalan, ed. (2010).A Compendium ofTirukkuralTranslations in English.Chennai: Central Institute of Classical Tamil. p. xxxiii.ISBN978-81-908000-2-0.
Further reading
[edit]- Manavalan, A. A. (2010).A Compendium ofTirukkuralTranslations in English(4 vols.). Chennai: Central Institute of Classical Tamil,ISBN978-81-908000-2-0.
