Tamil Nadu   

“Nutrition, education vital”

VIRUDHUNAGAR: The Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, on Sunday stressed that the country’s growth would be best assured if nutrition and education to all children were taken care of.

“These two are the basic issues and if they are addressed properly the rest will follow, and also the society’s growth is ensured,” he observed while delivering the 32nd graduation day function of V.V. Vanniaperumal College for Women here.

Literacy, school education and early childcare policies would contribute to significant development for a country such as India, “which enjoys the largest demographic advantage.”

Expressing concern over less enrolment figures in higher education, Prof. Pillai said that only 10 per cent of those aged between 16 to 23 years were pursuing college level education in India, while the world average was 23 per cent and for developed countries it ranged from 50 to 80 per cent.

Lauding the role of rural colleges, he said that women’s education would lead to holistic development because providing education to a woman means that a family was being educated.

“There are many girls who do not have an opportunity to pursue college education. Hence, rural institutions such as V.V.V. College for Women are examples of success stories,” Prof. Pillai pointed out.

Latha Pillai, Pro-Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, in her felicitations, said that woman’s education could make a difference and it was necessary for girl students to have role models closer home and relate to them. “Places such as Usilampatti near here are known for female foeticide and infanticide. When women like you start questioning such practices, the most required change comes about naturally and easily,” she said.

She cited the names of famous women — Indira Nooyi, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and Kiren Bedi — and urged the students to emulate successful women like them.

R. Anusuya, Principal, in her welcome address said that nearly 900 girls received their degrees and diplomas on the graduation day this year. V. V. V. Anandham, college patron, S. P. G. R. Nithyanandan, president, Anitha Rajesh, vice-president, P.C. K. Muralidharan, secretary and M. Jeyapriya, joint secretary, were among those present. Parents and family members turned up for the function to see their wards receiving degrees from the chief guests.

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