Noting that dropout rate in schools had reduced substantially due to the nutritious noon meal scheme introduced by former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran, Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit said even today, Tamil Nadu is ranked as one of the best performing States in the field of school education.
Addressing the gathering shortly after releasing a book – ‘Moondrezhuththu Adhisayam MGR’ – authored by VIT chancellor G. Viswanathan on Friday, he observed that Tamil Nadu showed the way for the whole of India in implementing novel initiatives when MGR was the CM from 1977 to 1987.
With the nutritious noon meal scheme being one of the many initiatives launched by MGR, he said it also brought in other benefits. “Caste discrimination among students was eliminated since children of all castes were served food together. It also provided employment to lakhs of unemployed women. The scheme was a roaring success,” he said.
As Chief Minister, he played a crucial role in improving Centre-State relations. He also had excellent relations with the neighbouring States, he added.
Private universities owed their origin to MGR, who encouraged the growth of higher education in Tamil Nadu, he added. He pointed out that MGR tried his best to bring about a peaceful solution for resolving the differences between the Sri Lankan government and substantial Tamil population residing in Sri Lanka.
Speaking on the occasion, VIT chancellor G. Viswanathan said that if the State had now reached 40% Gross Enrolment Ratio, it was due to the seed sown by MGR. He granted permission for establishing self-financing engineering, polytechnic and arts and science colleges, he noted.
He recalled that MGR had said that ₹100 notes should be demonetised if black money had to be eliminated. “Youth should learn from MGR,” he said.
“We want good administration. During MGR’s time, nobody had to give money for appointment, transfer and promotions,” he said, adding that the Governor, known to be a crusader against corruption, would look into it.
He said that people should also change and stop taking cash for votes. He urged both the AIADMK and the DMK to propagate this among the people.
Senior DMK leader and Katpadi MLA Durai Murugan, who shared the stage with AIADMK Ministers K.C. Veeramani, Nilofer Kafeel and Sevur S. Ramachandran, recalled his association with MGR. Among others, G. Hari, MP, VIT’s vice presidents Sankar Viswanathan, Sekar Viswanathan and G.V. Selvam, pro vice chancellor S. Narayanan, V-C Anand A. Samuel and Shankar V. Subramaniam, business head, The Hindu – Tamil were present.
