A reader will become a leader, says Sagayam

Launches exclusive School Edition for students

Collector U. Sagayam releasing the School Edition of The Hindu and presenting the first copy to Tenth Standard district topper M. Karthick of St.Mary's Higher Secondary School. Headmaster Vincent Amal Raj is seen. Photo: R. Ashok

India's national newspaper since 1878, The Hindu which has millions of readers across the country, is now reaching out to a vital segment in a big way.

The newspaper will now be exclusively available for students through a special edition called Student Edition which was launched here on Sunday.

To make it more apt, the School Edition was formally launched in the presence of students who were district toppers in the last year's Class X and matriculation examinations besides the winners of 2011 quiz and painting competitions conducted by The Hindu Young World.

Collector U. Sagayam, who visited the office of

The Hindu for the soft launch event, was all praise for the Student Edition initiative saying that the edition for school students would be extremely beneficial for the country's youngsters in general and Madurai students in particular. “I am sure that this edition will prepare students for a better future because The Hindu tradition makes a difference to students' minds. Utilise the opportunity and read this newspaper. A reader is going to be the leader,” the Collector said.

Sharing a few of his experiences during his visit to government schools, Mr. Sagayam said that he found every student to be competent, capable and imaginative. “You may be in any sphere, but read The Hindu . Our tender children have overwhelming enthusiasm and definitely it is the school children who are going to shape the country in the days to come. In that direction, this newspaper has made the right attempt,” Mr. Sagayam said before releasing the first few copies of School Edition and presenting them to students.

He hoped and wished that the School Edition will create good IAS/IPS officers, good scientists, engineers, lawyers and above all good human beings. Quoting the Kothari Commission Report of 1964 that pointed out that India was shaped in classrooms, Mr. Sagayam said that by reading ‘The Hindu's School Edition,' the youngsters could become successful in life.

The Collector released the first copy of the Student Edition and presented it to N.M.Karthick of St. Mary's Higher Secondary School in the city who was the last year's SSLC topper with 495 marks. Vincent Amal Raj, Headmaster of the school, was present.

Copies of the new edition were also presented to N. Ram Ganesh of TVS Higher Secondary School, who secured 493 marks in last year's Class X Board examinations, and R. Anusia of TVS Matriculation Higher Secondary School, who scoredt 490 marks in the 2011 matriculation examinations.

Siddharth Rao Tharkeswar of Jeevana School, winner of The Hindu Young World Quiz 2011 and K.R. Vinoth of the same school also received the copies from the Collector, besides Aadhithya of Vikaasa School who was the painting competition winner.

H. Kalyanasundaram, Headmaster of TVS Higher Secondary School, and staff of The Hindu were among those present at the launch function.

The Student Edition will be with the students daily with customised and student-centric packages which will be of interest to them. The Student Edition, priced at Re. 1, will be made available only at the schools.