The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Government `must tackle needs of higher education'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 05, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Government `must tackle needs of higher education'

Staff Reporter

Judge addresses Ethiraj College convocation

MERIT REWARDED: K. Nivethikka, an M.A. English student, receives the maximum medals and prizes from A. R. Lakshmanan, Supreme Court judge (right), at the convocation of Ethiraj College on Sunday. Justice S. Jagadeesan, chairman of the college trust, is in the picture. — Photo: V.Ganesan

CHENNAI : Governments need to take hard decisions on the "ill conceived proliferation of colleges and growing commercialisation" as higher education sector plays a pivotal role in the nation's progress, said A.R.Lakshmanan, Judge, Supreme Court, on Sunday.

Addressing the Ethiraj College students at their 58th convocation ceremony, Justice Lakshmanan underlined the contributions of higher education in country's development since independence. He said the governments must meet the requirements of educational institutions and ensure regular funds.

Stressing equal opportunities to women, Justice Lakshmanan said the role of women must be taken into account in government policies, particularly in development and educational policies.

Though the importance of women's equality is an oft-discussed subject, Indian women are the most unrepresented section in the present political system, he said. Even in the judiciary, only 3 per cent of the judges are women. However, the Indian judiciary has assumed a "pro-active role in addressing the issues of women on a war footing," he added.

Lauding the efforts of the college in providing quality education to girls, Justice Lakshmanan pointed out that the institution was also allied with various non-governmental organisations in fields such as education and child welfare for the advancement of the society.

He advised the students to respect their teachers as "learning in its true sense includes respect for moral values and improvement of character... "

Justice Lakshmanan also suggested that college alumni must form a trust and contribute funds towards educating underprivileged students.

M.Thavamani, principal said 891 students, including postgraduates and Ph.Ds, obtained their degree diplomas at the convocation. The college had acquired 76 university ranks of which 27 were at the postgraduate level.

Justice Lakshmanan and Justice S. Jagadeesan, chairman of the college trust distributed prizes to the rank holders. K. Nivethikka, an M.A. English student, stole the show by bagging more than five medals and prizes for her proficiency.

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