Erode, Aug 3: Tamil Nadu has emerged as a leader in higher education enrollment with a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of 51%, according to Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Udhayanidhi Stalin. Speaking at a student gathering in Erode, the minister highlighted the state’s remarkable achievement, noting that while other states are aiming to reach a 50% GER in the next decade, Tamil Nadu is ambitiously targeting a 100% GER.Udhayanidhi also underscored the success of key welfare schemes under the Dravidian model government led by the DMK. He noted that the ‘Pudhumai Penn’ scheme has benefitted over three lakh girl students across the state, including 11,000 from Erode alone. Additionally, the ‘Naan Mudhalvan’ initiative has provided opportunities to 31 lakh youth, with one lakh from Erode, and 20,000 of these youth have secured job offers.
Reflecting on the progress made in women’s education, Udhayanidhi said, “A century ago, women were confined to their homes, and even 50 years ago, the idea of women pursuing education was questioned. Today, under the DMK’s Dravidian model government, we are committed to ensuring that no one can undermine the education of women.”
In a separate event, the minister distributed sports equipment under the ‘Kalaignar Sports Kit Scheme’ to 382 village panchayats in Erode and Karur districts. This initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to promote sports and physical activity at the grassroots level.
Udhayanidhi also announced a significant policy initiative by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, introducing a 3% reservation in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) for sportspeople. This move aims to provide job opportunities for 100 sports persons, further promoting sports as a viable career option in Tamil Nadu.
At a welfare aid distribution ceremony, Udhayanidhi handed over the property ‘patta’ for the house of the revered rationalist leader E.V.R. Periyar to his grandson, E.V.K.S. Elangovan, who is also a former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President.