Latest news with #AdiDravidar
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
TN Adi Dravidar Welfare dept launches ‘social labs' and ‘learn-a-lot' to empower hostel students
CHENNAI: In order to aid its students in reaching their full potential, the state's Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department is set to implement two major initiatives, Social Labs and Learn-a-Lot, aimed at the over 60,000 students residing in school and college hostels run by it across Tamil Nadu. While Social Labs is aimed at students in college hostels, focusing on bridging academic, professional and interpersonal skill gaps, Learn-a-Lot has been designed for students in school hostels, to enhance academic performance along with extracurricular, co-scholastic and life skills. According to officials, most of the students in the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare schools and hostels are from economically backward families earning less than Rs 2.5 lakh per annum and are first-generation learners. Even though the schools and hostels address their academic needs, there is a gap in providing them with the necessary guidance required for them to develop additional skills to unlock their full potential.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The legacy and rebirth of M.C. Rajah Hostel: A symbol of Dalit student resilience
It's hard for any commuter moving through Saidapet's traffic snarls to miss the new towering 10-storey white structure, the recently constructed M.C. Rajah College Boys' Hostel. Though inaugurated on Ambedkar Jayanti this year, the hostel is yet to start running. Adjacent to the new structure stands the older original building that is now over 60 years old. It was one of Tamil Nadu's first Adi Dravidar hostels, named after the prominent Dalit leader M. C. Rajah. A marble plaque at its entrance bears the inaugurators' names — then-Chief Minister K. Kamaraj and Works Minister P. Kakkan. As the sparkling new ₹45-crore hostel building — which can accommodate 490 students — gets its final touches with admissions soon to start rolling out, Joy Andrew (29), a key organiser of the Thirunangai Press, which promotes literature written by authors from historically oppressed communities, outlines several student protests and grassroot efforts that pushed the government to build the current structure. Years of grassroots efforts that shaped policy The infamous 2010 student protest that blocked Anna Salai and continuous efforts by Thudi Iyakkam and Dalit student bodies from 2003 to 2019 ensured that the existing hostels got a facelift and basic amenities, including water purifiers, stainless steel vessels, and dining tables. Dr. Bharthi Prabhu, who leads Thudi Iyakkam, a non-profit organisation working for Dalit students in Tamil Nadu, says, 'There are these godowns in villages built to ripen mangoes; the hot and humid structure helps ripen the fruit. That's how the conditions of Adi Dravidar hostels were, with windows made of stifling steel/ iron, that barely budged, and creating a suffocating environment'. Mr. Prabhu's earliest memories of the M.C. Rajah hostel date back to 2003, when he organised Buddhist Cultural Awareness sessions and events. 'Basic needs like food, clean water, and bathroom facilities caused significant challenges undermining the dignity of SC/ST students coming to these hostels from all over the State.' Prominent figures like P. Kuganantham, the former city health officer, retired IPS AG Mourya, and VCK leader Thol Thirumavalan have stayed in the M.C. Rajah Hostel during their college days. Mr. Prabhu narrates that though decades had passed since Kuganantham moved out of the college, in 2018, when he visited the hostel, he saw that the students were still eating meals on bare cement floors. This sight urged him to arrange a wooden dining table in the hostel canteen area. With the support of the organisation, Ambedkar International Mission, he raised ₹50,000, and Mr. Prabhu also contributed to getting stainless steel vessels for the hostel. Over the years, Mr. Prabhu has drafted several proposals citing immediate structural and maintenance needs at these hostels. He also documented this initiative and took it to the then-CM Secretary, IAS Vijay Kumar. 'This led to a domino effect', he said. He visited all the Adi Dradivar College hostels in the city and submitted reports that detailed out their needs. A ₹13-crore budget was set aside to enhance these hostels, and facilities such as water purifiers, better quality food, stainless steel plates, dining tables and hygienic washrooms were emphasised. Collective efforts over the years and the advocacy efforts by MLA and VCK member, Sinthanai Selvan, resulted in the ruling party giving clearance to the construction of the new MC Rajah College Boys' Hostel, an upgrade long overdue. Factors that drove the protests Ilayaraja from Chengalpettu district, who stayed at the hostel between 2007-11, says, 'We used to carry food in buckets to our rooms from the canteen. Plates came later, after Mr. Prabhu's relentless efforts'. Mr. Ilayaraja was one of the student leaders who led the protests against the poor conditions of Adi Dravidar hostels. Recalling the protests, Mr. Ilayaraja said, 'Minister Tamilarasi tasted a small piece of mullangi (radish) from our plate'. It took us about a week to organise students from all the hostels. On the day of the protest, we freshened up and left for the spot. The adrenaline helped to a point, but once the police and other officials started pouring in, we were scared.' He said they wanted to question the diversion of the Special Component Fund meant for the social and economic development of the SC and ST population in India. The hostel only had a couple of tungsten bulbs, and students often used the washrooms at the Veterinary hospital opposite the hostel. Unable to eat the hostel food, most of them started taking up part-time jobs at catering services. 'There the food was way better and we all got a bit of pocket money'. Why these hostels matter for first-generational learners Mr. Ilayaraja, who has completed his in English and is now pursuing LLB, says, 'No one in my family or my village had studied a lot. So I always yearned to learn as much as possible'. Mr. Ilayaraja is a first-generation learner like many students who relied on Adi Dravidar hostels for accommodation, despite their stark conditions. 'Chennai opened up worlds for me. To be in a city where you get everything was truly a dream for someone who came from a small village. While education showed me my potential, I also realised that as Dalits, we are often excluded from political spaces and underrepresented. And this piqued my interest.' Since leading the Anna Salai protest, Mr. Ilayaraja has gone on to head several student unions and served as the Bahujan Samaj Party District President (Chengalpattu) for four years. Ten years on, the same conditions persist A decade later, little has changed for marginalised students pursuing higher education in the capital city. 'Who doesn't like Chennai?', chuckles Prunesh, 21, as he describes his hostel experience and love for the city. He stayed at the old hostel between 2021-2024 while pursuing his B.A. History degree at the Government Arts College at Nandanam. 'The hostel helped me to pursue my education in Chennai as accommodation is expensive, but the hostel in itself did not have a lot of facilities, and the food served was a major challenge', says Mr. Prunesh, who hails from Virudhachalam in Cuddalore, a coastal district to the south of Chennai. Mr. Ilayaraja's and Mr. Prunesh's woes echo several news reports that came out across the decade, highlighting the poor conditions that plague nearly all the 16 College hostels run by the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department for SC/ST students across the state. Systemic gaps that undermine hostel life for SC/ST students C. Lakshmanan, an author and Associate Professor at the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS), spoke about how these welfare hostels, which are meant to be a home away from home, fall short due to several factors. 'Despite several schemes and policies being implemented to provide a safe and nurturing environment for students from marginalised communities, they fail to achieve their purpose due to poor maintenance of these hostels', he said. Mismanagement and non-utilisation of the funds allocated for Adi Dravidar hostels, reliance on contractual workers and lack of a permanent warden, and the SC/ST Welfare Directors failing to visit and monitor the conditions prevailing in these hostels are some of the key issues, underlined Lakshmanan. Author and Social Activist Shalin Maria Lawrence also underscored the non-utilisation of the funds allocated for Adi Dravidar hostels and spoke about the double stigmatisation the students often face. 'Many first generational learners who come to the city to pursue education, not only endure caste-based stigma but are marginalised further due to living in dilapidated hostels that lack basic amenities', she said. Students look to the new hostel as a model for change Joy, who also conducts the Ambedkar Reading Circle, notes that while some students regret missing out on the chance to stay in the new hostel, all agree and hope that the new hostel will set a precedent for Adi Dravidar Hostels. He says, 'Infrastructure and nurturing the right environment are crucial for these students who migrate to Chennai seeking education and aiming to defy caste stigma'.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Students urged to study in govt. polytechnic college with aid
As the last day for applying to diploma courses in Tamil Nadu Government Polytechnic College is May 23, 2025, the college administration urged interested and eligible candidates to take up the opportunity to study engineering diploma courses like web designing, logistics, among others. As the college offers both full-time and part-time diploma courses, the yearly fee for full-time diploma is just ₹2,200. Interested can apply for full-time engineering diploma courses like civil, mechanical, electrical, computer, plastic, polymer, wed designing, logistics, and part-time courses like civil, mechanical and electrical in evening classes. While students passed in Class X board examinations can join in first year diploma classes, students who have passed Class XII board examinations and who have passed Class X examinations and also studied ITI (2 years) can get joined directly in second year of diploma classes. Interested candidates can apply through or can directly apply in the college by paying an application fee of ₹150. No application fee for SC/ST students. Along with it, students who have enrolled in the college could also be availed of various government schemes extended to students. Those who have studied in government or government-aided schools from Class VI to Class X or XII, under Tamil Pudhalvan scheme and Pudhumai Penn scheme can monthly assistance of ₹1,000. Under the Naan Mudhalvan schemes the students would be subjected to skill training. Education assistance is available for students from Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified communities, Adi Dravidar and Scheduled Tribes. Selected female students could avail yearly scholarship of ₹50,000 under Pragathi scholarship scheme. Those selected differently abled students in second year would be granted ₹50,000 yearly assistance under Saksham scholarship. Further, paid internship with ₹16,000 for students selected in the second year of their courses. The college administration in its press statement said that the students could also avail of travel benefits like bus passes and train ticket concession.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Trichy retains fifth spot, Madurai's dips to 22
Madurai/Trichy: Trichy district achieved an impressive 96.63% pass in the Class X exam results announced on Friday, and retained its fifth position in the state. However, its rank dropped from 11 to 12, while Madurai district registered 93.9% pass and plunged to 22nd rank from 11th last year. Girls continued to outperform boys with 98.27 % of them passing as against boys' 94.99 % in Trichy. In Madurai, girls secured 96.3% pass compared to boys' 91.5%. In Madurai, more schools achieved 100% result than in the previous year. In Trichy district, a total of 210 out of 445 schools scored 100%. Among govt schools with the highest pass percentage, Trichy ranks fourth with 95.42%. As many as 168 schools in Madurai recorded 100% pass compared to 163 schools last year. They included 56 govt schools, two Adi Dravidar welfare schools, 14 Kallar schools, and 97 private matriculation schools. "We conducted 'flip tests' for students almost daily. Teachers were encouraged to conduct internal meetings to review performances and identify shortcomings," Trichy's chief educational officer K Krishnapriya said. The comprehensive efforts led to improvement in performance, she added. The top scorer among govt schools in Madurai district was B Harsitha of Alanganallur Government GHSS, who cored 494/500. The overall pass percentage of govt schools in Madurai was 91.1%. Madurai corporation schools recorded a pass percentage of 91.3%, a slight increase from 90.7% in 2024. The top scorer among corporation school students was R Yogavi of Kasthuribai Gandhi Corporation GS, with a score of 486/500. "Our students are mainly from economically backwards families. We worked hard, gave individual attention to students and addressed their shortcomings. Hence, we achieved centum," K Vasuki, headmistress of Government Adi Dravidar HSS, Thuraiyur, which scored 100% pass, said. Sivaganga (98.3%) and Virudhunagar (97.4%) topped the state in pass percentage, followed by Tuticorin and Kanyakumari in third and fourth spots. In ranking, Perambalur climbed from eighth to seventh, Karur rose from 13 to 10, Thanjavur from 15 to 12, Tiruvarur rose from 19 to 13, and Mayiladuthurai rose from 27 to 23. Ariyalur dropped from the top position to 8, Trichy dropped from 11 to 12, Pudukottai dropped two places from 23 to 25, and Nagapattinam dropped two places from 29 to 31. Among central districts, except for Ariyalur, others have increased their percentage. Trichy topped with 96.61 %, followed by Perambalur, Ariyalur, Karur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukottai and Nagapattinam.
New Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Government initiatives boosted Tamil Nadu's Class 12 pass rate
CHENNAI: The state government on Wednesday said various initiatives implemented in Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare department schools have resulted in a higher pass percentage among Class 12 students. According to a release, students from these schools are now gaining admission to top institutions such as the NITs and National Law Universities (NLUs). The government has spent around Rs 108 crore on constructing new classrooms and science laboratories, while infrastructure works worth Rs 125 crore are currently under way to further upgrade the schools. Coaching for competitive entrance exams, including JEE, NEET, is also being offered to students in tribal residential schools, the release stated. The government highlighted several welfare measures such as internship grant of Rs 10,000 for final-year law students from Adi Dravidar and tribal communities, and the Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scheme, under which 176 students pursuing higher studies abroad are receiving scholarships of up to Rs 36 lakh per year. Other initiatives include the Tholkudi Research Fellowship Scheme to support research on tribal culture and the High-Skill Incentive Scheme, which provides Rs 25,000 to enhance the employability of graduates, the release said. Udhayanidhi launches Kalloori Kanavu 2025 to guide students Chennai: Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday inaugurated the Kalloori Kanavu 2025 programme aimed at providing career guidance to students who have completed Class 12 this year. At the event, he distributed shields to 58 candidates who cleared the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and SSC exams after undergoing training under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme. Addressing the gathering, Udhayanidhi said Kalloori Kanavu will help one lakh students every year transition into higher education. Encouraging students to explore emerging fields such as data science, cybersecurity, AI, and quantum computing, Udhayanidhi urged them to pursue areas of interest based on the guidance received through the programme. Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and senior officials were present.
