Minister bats for Welfare schemes

TN’s good performance NT Bureau Chennai, June 23: Welfare schemes are the reason behind Tamilnadu’s good performance on various social development indicators, said Milk and Dairy Minister T Mano Thangaraj at the Tamil Nadu Higher Education Summit and Awards organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( FICCI). Tamilnadu is known for its pioneering efforts in education, exemplified by the unique Pudumai Penn and Naan Mudalvan schemes implemented across the country. Mano Thangaraj served as the chief guest, accompanied by Dr. Francois-Xavier Mortreuil, Attache for Sciences and Higher Education from the French Embassy in India – General Consulate of France in Bangalore, as the guest of honour. The event also hosted other distinguished personalities, including Bhupesh Nagarajan, Co-Chairman of FICCI Tamilnadu Stage Council & CMD of Indira Group of Companies; Ashok G Verghese, Convenor of FICCI Tamilnadu Education Panel and Pro Chancellor of Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science. Mano Thangaraj, highlighted that Tamilnadu and Kerala are leading States in education. He discussed the success of the Naan Mudalvan and Future Skills programs, which have trained a significant number of students and faculty in both government and private colleges. Mano Thangaraj expressed concern about the lack of life skills and proficiency in English among students from small towns and villages, placing them at a disadvantage. He shared his experience of training students in soft skills and spoken English in Kanyakumari district and emphasized the need for big organizations to sponsor similar programs for students from rural areas.