Chennai: Urging students to stay away from violence, Chief Minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami on Friday said that it was sad to see students taking weapons in their hands instead of books
He was referring to a recent incident where some students wielded machetes while travelling on a bus.
While speaking at Madras University’s post centenary diamond jubilee year valedictory function here he said, “Students should concentrate only on their studies. We need to approach the social issues rationally rather emotionally.”
He also reminded that it was teachers’ duty to teach students on how to solve the issues that they are facing in their daily life with patriotism and honesty.
“To mark 160th-year celebrations and MGR centenary celebrations, the state government will establish Dr MGR Centenary Social Development Centre at the cost of Rs 5 crore,” Palaniswami announced. The centre will undertake research and teaching activities on former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran’s famous schemes like nutritional meal scheme and women development schemes.
He further said, “The state government will allot Rs 5 crore to renovate heritage structures in Madras University including library building, clock tower building and centenary building.”
Hailing Tamil Nadu as a leader in higher education, higher education minister K.P. Anbalagan said Tamil Nadu has the highest number of PhD scholars in the entire country with 34,400 students currently pursuing research in the universities and colleges.
He also said the state government will convert 41 university constituent colleges as government colleges.
P.Duraisamy, Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras, said, “Due to various administrative and academic reforms undertaken by the university, it has climbed 22 places to get 18th rank in NIRF rankings 2018.” A total number of 12 faculty members from various departments of the University of Madras have received best researchers award and 13 non-teaching staff members received the best administrative staff award at the function. Students who won an essay competition, elocution competition have also received their prizes.
Sunayna Sara Kuruvilla a silver medalist in squash in Asian games and Varsha Gautham another silver medalist in the sailing event received sports award from the Chief Minister.
Deputy Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam, chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, higher education secretary Mangat Ram Sharma also participated in the event. Before the event, some students from the university tried to stage demonstration demanding basic amenities in the university hostels. But, they were removed by the police personnel posted near the venue.
