The recent ‘Kalviyil Sirantha Tamil Nadu’ (Tamil Nadu Excels in Education) event in Chennai was a powerful testament to the transformative impact of the state government’s welfare programs. Held on Thursday, the gathering featured an array of inspiring real-life stories from beneficiaries, each account highlighting how strategic support can unlock potential and change destinies.
One particularly moving story was that of R. Prema from Tenkasi district. Her journey brought many attendees to tears. The daughter of a mason and an agricultural laborer, Prema excelled, becoming a student at the Government College of Engineering in Tirunelveli. Thanks to the innovative Naan Mudhalvan scheme, she developed specialized skills in the high-demand semiconductor industry. Her father, Ramasamy, overcome with emotion, wept with pride as she handed him her very first month’s salary. “People often discouraged me from sending girls to school and college,” he recounted. “But my daughter proved every single one of them wrong.”
Organized by the DMK government, the event shone a spotlight on the success of various pivotal initiatives, including the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, the Naan Mudhalvan Scheme, and the Puthumai Penn–Tamil Pudhalvan Scheme. These programs have been meticulously designed to empower citizens, and the beneficiaries present at the event shared firsthand accounts of their profound impact. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy attended as the distinguished guest of honor.
A short film detailing the meticulous preparation and distribution of healthy breakfasts under the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme captivated the audience. The film showcased the journey of a nutritious morning meal from a scheme-operated kitchen directly to hungry schoolchildren. In a delightful moment, a cook even brought a sample of the delicious sambar prepared under the scheme, sharing it with dignitaries on stage, including Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare M. Mathiventhan, who praised its taste. Parents echoed the sentiment, expressing how the wholesome breakfasts have significantly improved their children’s health. Prithish, a student from a daily wage-earning family, enthusiastically shared his particular fondness for Semiya Upma.
Esteemed public speaker Bharathi Bhaskar emotionally recalled her father, a headmaster, who used to personally carry tiffin boxes to feed students who would faint during morning assembly due to hunger. “A single headmaster could only help a handful of students,” she observed. “But now, Tamil Nadu has scaled this vital support to reach students across the entire state.”
The event also celebrated athletic achievements, with pole vault champion Rosy Meena making a striking appearance alongside her specialized pole, which cost a significant ₹1.5 lakh. Rosy proudly shared that with the steadfast support of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), she not only broke a national record but now owns six poles. Moreover, she secured a coveted position at TNPL, where her salary is three times higher than the offer she received from Indian Railways, illustrating the scheme’s role in her financial independence.
Sathya, a student from the Government Polytechnic College in Valangaiman, shared her incredibly inspiring story of how the Puthumai Penn scheme completely transformed her life. Married before finishing school, she initially supported her family by selling milk from her cows. However, seventeen years after her education was interrupted, she bravely decided to resume her studies. Despite initial skepticism from teachers, she told them, “If I come first in the class, I should be allowed to continue.” She triumphed, proving her determination, and is now pursuing her college education, all made possible by the Puthumai Penn scheme.
Finally, Manivasagam, once residing in a humble, leaky hut illuminated by a single bulb in Ariyalur district, is now a medical college student. He credited the high-quality education he received from a government-run model school for his success. He not only became the district topper in his Plus Two exams but also secured admission to a prestigious medical college, demonstrating the far-reaching positive effects of these state-led educational initiatives.