Tamil Nadu, under the DMK regime, remains unmatched in the country when it comes to financial allocation in the field of education, Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said on Sunday.
Delivering the 15th convocation address of the MOP Vaishnav College for Women (Autonomous) in the city, Mr. Stalin said the State's contribution towards the development of women was also noteworthy.
He said it was the DMK government that first enacted a law in 1989 securing equal rights for women in family property, implementing a resolution adopted in the conference of the self-respect movement in 1929 by Periyar, the founder of Dravidar Kazhagam. “Now the state has implemented 30 per cent reservation for women in government jobs, besides ensuring that only women are recruited as teachers for primary schools in the state,” he said, recalling the contribution of Tamil scholar Thiru-Vi-Ka, Periyar and former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai. “The women folk suffered because of lack of education. Now they are well-educated and outnumber men in their achievements. If they are able to assert their rights and position, it is because of their education. Education is empowerment,” he said.
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Mr Stalin distributed medals and awards to outstanding students. Thiruvalluvar University Vice-Chancellor Jothi Murugan participated.