Development of individuals is not possible without education, said actor Suriya.
He was speaking at the STARS Day celebrated at VIT University here on Saturday. Support the Advancement of Rural Students (STARS) is a programme designed to help the rural poor to pursue free education at the university. From this year, the university has decided to celebrate the occasion for beneficiaries of STARS programme.
In his speech, Mr. Suriya said the motive of his Agaram Foundation that helped poor students and STARS programme was the same. Nearly 60% of students who pursue higher education in Tamil Nadu come from government schools. They can progress in their career only through education. Development of individuals was not possible without the help of tens and hundreds of people around them. Hence, the beneficiaries of STARS scheme should be proud to say they were STARS products and should not forget where they started, he said.
VIT Chancellor G. Viswanathan said a large number of students from north India and urban areas study in the university. In order to help rural students pursue education at the university, STARS had been started. The scheme was being implemented for the benefit of students of 31 districts in the State. From this year, Chennai would be added as a beneficiary district, he said.
VIT vice-chairman G.V. Selvam, professor C.R.Sundarrajan spoke. STARS Project Officer Ramesh Babu proposed vote of thanks.
