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Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Why did this PhD student from Tamil Nadu refuse to receive her degree from Governor RN Ravi at MSU convocation?
A bold act of protest at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University's 32nd convocation has become a talking point across Tamil Nadu. Jean Joseph, a PhD graduate in Human Resource Management, chose not to receive her degree from Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, challenging the long-standing tradition of students collecting degrees directly from the Governor, who is also the university's chancellor. Convocation ceremony in focus The convocation, held at V.O.C. Auditorium, conferred degrees to 37,376 students from 104 affiliated colleges and the university, spanning bachelor's, master's, MPhil, and PhD programmes. 759 graduates were present to receive their degrees in person, including 650 PhD scholars, and 109 medallists were honoured for academic excellence. The ceremony featured a convocation address by A P Dimri, Director of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Traditionally, students pose for photographs with the Governor after receiving their certificates. In a surprising move, Joseph accepted her degree from Vice-Chancellor N Chandrasekar instead, bypassing Governor Ravi entirely. A stand for choice and Tamil identity During the convocation, Joseph bypassed Governor R N Ravi and chose to receive her degree from Vice-Chancellor N Chandrasekar, breaking with the traditional practice of posing with the Governor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Most Expensive Ocean Cruise Tours & Trips Undo Explaining her decision to TNN, she said she acted 'only as a way to register protest against the governor, who has not contributed anything to the development of the state and has shown he is against the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu. ' Adding to this, she mentioned that she 'believes in the 'Dravidian' model of governance.' She added further in a statement to ANI, highlighting her perspective on student choice and respect for Tamil culture: 'I believe the Governor has done nothing for Tamil Nadu or the Tamil language. Many others, such as the Chief Minister or the Education Minister, are more qualified to present degrees. It should be the student's choice. My fellow students appreciated my decision. If it were wrong, no one would have congratulated me. I don't want to take my degree from someone who does not respect our land, language, and identity.' Joseph emphasised that her protest was political in principle, not personal, and many students reportedly supported her for taking a stand for Tamil identity, language, and governance. Academic journey Jean Joseph has an impressive academic background. She completed her at Hindu College, Nagercoil, followed by an MCA at Mepco College, Sivakasi, before earning her PhD in Human Resource Management from MSU. Her research focused on human resource strategies and organisational development, preparing her for a career in academia and organisational consulting. Reactions and wider debate The incident has sparked discussions across campuses about student autonomy, ceremonial traditions, and political expression. As reported by TNN, BJP's Tamil Nadu president, K Annamalai, criticised the move as 'unnecessary and useless drama' aimed at political gain. Joseph's husband, Rajan, serves as the district student wing secretary of the DMK, adding a political dimension to her action. Many educators and students see her decision as an example of how ceremonial traditions can intersect with political awareness and personal principles, particularly in a state like Tamil Nadu, where student activism and regional pride have long been influential. Joseph's stand has become a reference point for discussions on whether students should have the freedom to choose from whom they receive their degrees, a debate that could shape convocation practices in the years to come. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
The Hindu
13-08-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Work hard with passion to achieve your goals, greater heights, scientist tells youth
Besides dreaming high about achieving the goals, the younger generation should have the passion for hard work to realise the dreams to enjoy unparalleled advancement in their career, Director of Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Mumbai, A.P. Dimri said. Delivering his address in the 32nd convocation of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University here on Wednesday, Prof. Dimri said the students, who were entering the different phase of working in different fields should think about how well they would be remembered for their contribution to the family, the society and others. Since the future generation would follow only the deeds of success, today's students should develop passion for hard work and love for the chosen job, which alone would bring them success. He told the students that their success alone would narrate their stories to the future generations and hence they should work hard to conquer their dreams which should always be big. At the same time, the younger generation should learn from their failures as introspection and modified strategies would spell out the success mantra. Prof. Dimri, a winner of Grove Karl Gilbert Award for Excellence in geomorphological research for his research on Chamoli disaster, also known as Uttarakhand flood, said that as there was huge need for experts based on the emerging societal needs, the startups should come-up with solutions for net zero emissions, climate change, disaster management, all with new dimensions by integrating international and national policies. He exhorted the younger generation to work on sustainable development of cropping patterns, technologically advanced agriculture and low-cost execution to ensure minimal energy consumption. Highlighting the MSU's achievements, Vice-Chancellor N. Chandrasekar said the hard work of the teaching faculty, the quality researches and publications had bagged the MSU with broad-based curriculum with core and multidisciplinary components 37th position in the Top 100 in NIRF India Ranking and A+ Grade. 'The C.V. Raman Central Instrumentation Facility established on an outlay of ₹20 crore on MSU campus has laid foundation for advanced interdisciplinary research,' Dr. Chandrasekar said. A total of 759 candidates including 650 Ph.D. scholars including 108 men and 542 women and 109 medalists including 13 men and 96 women received their degrees during the convocation while 36,617 candidates students received the degrees in absentia. In all, 37,376 candidates including 11,638 men and 25,738 women received their degrees on Wednesday after the results of the final examination were declared in June last.
