Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Rs. 825-crore education loans given

Staff Reporter

A total of 56,250 students benefited during 2005-2006

NEW BEGINNING: The Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram (right), discussing a point with the Principal of Shrimati Indira Gandhi College, K. Meena, at a function in Tiruchi on Friday. The Transport Minister, K.N. Nehru, is also seen. — Phot o: R. Ashok.

TIRUCHI : Educational loans amounting to Rs. 12,106 crores have been disbursed for all eligible higher education aspirants over the past two and a half years with the objective of developing the human resource potential of the country and expediting economic growth, the Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, said on Friday.

In Tamil Nadu, disbursal of Rs. 825 crore as education loans during 2005-2006 benefited 56,250 students.

The world holds India in high esteem only for its human resource and hence, students, particularly girls, must not miss the opportunity for undergoing higher education and making their contributions for the country's growth while achieving individual progress, Mr. Chidambaram said laying the foundation stone for the `Vidya Seva Ratnam K. Santhanam Block' for Sri Jayendra Matriculation Higher Secondary School at the Shrimati Indira Gandhi College.

All the banks have been instructed to accord priority for disbursal of education loans. At no other time in Independent India did higher education receive so much importance.

Mr. Chidambaram was, however, critical of the system of higher education under stereotyped framework, which, he said, relegates women to study less important courses. Women, he said, had proved their mettle in various spheres over the past few decades, and were in no way less capable than men.

Germany is being ruled by a woman and the next President of United States could well be a woman. Women had ruled India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Tamil Nadu and other States also had women chief ministers, he noted.

Recalling his association with the College, Mr. Chidambaram said the occasions when he accompanied the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to the institution during the eighties and his individual visit for the second time during 1997 at the invitation of the founder secretary of the college G. Santhanam were fresh in his memory.

The new block with a 60,000 square feet structure will be constructed on a 1.5 acre plot along East Boulevard Road, the secretary of National College Council S. Kunjithapatham said. The Principal K. Meena was also present.

State Transport Minister K.N. Nehru presided over. The State Forest Minister N. Selvaraj offered felicitations.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Micro pension scheme launched
Rs. 825-crore education loans given
Kumbabhishekam for Samayapuram temple
Steps to upgrade Annal Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital
Role of service sectors hailed
DMK bags 12 wards
It's all about management, folks
Two killed as gelatine stick goes off
Around the City
In Tiruchi Today
Police personnel embark on a `crime mapping' exercise

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu