What MGR sowed in the higher education field has now blossomed into trees, remarked VIT University founder-chancellor G. Viswanathan.
“The year 1984 was an important one in the annals of Tamil Nadu. That was when MGR granted permission to over 10 private engineering colleges. These seeds have now sprouted into over 500 colleges, which have produced many engineers to shine in various capacities across the globe,” he said.
He was presiding over the birth centenary celebrations of MGR and the unveiling of his statue on the university premises here on Wednesday. “MGR was always friendly, even with those who didn’t get along with him. I revolted against him but still he treated me well,” Mr. Viswanathan added.
Stressing the need for better reforms in education, he said, “In the 1950s, India was equal to the Koreas and China in development. But as time passed by, we lost the race. Education is the only means through which we can race past others. So, I request government to strengthen this area in the days to come.”
Mauritius Republic Vice-President Paramasivan Pillay Vyapoory, who unveiled the statue, invited Indian universities to Mauritius. Assuring co-operation in the all the spheres, he said that it would help to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. Recalling his association with MGR, he said that he believes the strong message of MGR, ‘Give to others, do not take’.
MGR Educational and Research Institute founder-chancellor A.C. Shanmugam and VELS University chancellor Isari Ganesh were among those who spoke.
Saveetha Institute founder-chancellor N. M. Veeraiyan, Sri Ramachandra Medical College Chancellor V.R. Venkataachalam, Meenakshi Academy chairman and managing trustee A. N. Radhakrishnan, RMK group founder R. S. Munirathinam, Kalasalingam University chancellor K. Sridharan, B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent University chairman Abdul Qadir A. Rahman Buhari, Hindustan University director Ashok Verghese, Jeppiar Engineering College director J. Regeena, Sathyabama Institute of Science pro-Chancellor Mariazeena Johnson, VIT University vice-presidents Sankar Viswanathan, Sekar Viswanathan and assistant vice-president Kadhambari S. Viswanathan were present.
