Tiruchy:A total of 498 school and college students participated in the Thirukkural-based speech, essay and drawing competitions organised by the Shriram Ilakkiya Kazhagam (SLK) in Tiruchy on Sunday. A kazhagam release Monday said the competitions were held at a private higher secondary school where 192 students participated in the speech competition, 229 in the drawing competition and 77 in the essay competition, taking the total participation to 498 students. The prizes for the winners were distributed by S. Vijayakumar, inspector of police, Koothanallur police station, Tiruvarur district. Addressing the students, he said, “Speaking, writing and drawing are three important skills for students. Even in today’s Internet-driven world, it is important for students to learn about their language and history.