In his Republic Day address, Governor R.N. Ravi said Tamil Nadu had a big role to play in the national mission of making India self-reliant and fully developed by 2047. However, the State was currently on a downswing, he added.
“Given the rich potential, it [Tamil Nadu] can be the engine of our nation’s growth. For this, our State must develop to its optimal potential. However, it does not seem to be happening. The status of key indicators is worrisome,” Mr. Ravi said.
It is a matter of great satisfaction that Tamil Nadu is among the top few States in the Gross Enrolment Ratio. However, in terms of learning outcome of students, especially in schools, it is among the bottom few States, he said, citing the Annual Status of Education Reports for the last few years. Most of the universities in the State are starved of funds. They have not received their due share of funds from the State government for the last few years, Mr. Ravi said. Owing to this, some of them have begun filing their Income Tax returns, declaring themselves as non-State universities. He further pointed out that 10 universities had been without Registrar and Controller of Examination for several years.
“Not allowing appointment of Vice-Chancellors on untenable concocted flimsy grounds is a devious way to erode the autonomy of the university through the back door,” Mr. Ravi added.
Increasing menace of illicit drugs in and around the campuses was a serious concern. Crimes against Dalits, especially sexual assaults on Dalit women, are steadily increasing in Tamil Nadu. The years 2023 and 2024 was rocked by hooch tragedies, he pointed out. “Until some years ago, our State used to be the most-favoured destination for private investment. However, today investors are shying away from Tamil Nadu and going to other States,” Mr. Ravi further said.
He further claimed that Tamil Nadu had the highest suicide rate in the country.
“The NIA, the Central counter-terror agency, has been unearthing and neutralising several modules and sleeper cells of terrorist networks operating in various parts of our State. Some of these terror modules are linked with international terror networks. This is a very, very serious national security concern,” Mr. Ravi added.
He said vested interests and inimical forces within and outside the country through blatantly false narratives are trying to undermine our people’s confidence in the constitution and constitutionally-established institutions. “I urge you all to remain vigilant against all such anti-national elements”, Mr. Ravi said.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050).
Published – January 26, 2025 01:12 am IST
