In a significant push for digital empowerment in education, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin launched a major free laptop distribution scheme for college students on Monday. Titled 'Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil' (The World in Your Hands), this initiative marks the third consecutive day of welfare announcements from the state government, following the unveiling of a pension scheme and a Pongal gift.
Massive Scale and a Vision for the Future
The government plans to distribute an impressive 10 lakh (1 million) laptops in the first phase of the scheme. Launching the program in Chennai, CM Stalin framed the laptop not as a mere gadget but as a crucial tool for advancement. "A laptop is not an expense. It is an investment," he stated, urging students to view it as a career launchpad rather than just a device for entertainment.
He emphasized the need for constant skill upgradation beyond academic degrees. "You should be technically updated, and for that laptops will be helpful," Stalin advised the gathering. The scheme revives a popular program first introduced by the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2011, which was discontinued in 2020.
Encouraging Responsible Use and AI Readiness
The Chief Minister posed a critical question to students, highlighting the dual nature of technology: "Laptop is not a gift but an opportunity to rule the world. Will you use it for movies and games, or as a launch pad for your career? Everything has two sides, and how you use them is more important."
Echoing this sentiment, former ISRO scientist Mylswamy Annadurai, the chief guest at the event, pointed to the growing importance of artificial intelligence. He noted that AI will transform future job markets and stressed that only those equipped with relevant skills will thrive. "Hence, utilise the laptops efficiently," he urged.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin assured that the government is providing "the best laptops in the industry with the latest configurations."
A Star-Studded Endorsement for Education
The launch event saw participation from a diverse group of eminent personalities, underscoring the scheme's broad appeal:
- Academia & Science: IIT-Madras director V Kamakoti and former ISRO scientist Mylswamy Annadurai.
- Sports Icons: Chess grandmasters Viswanathan Anand, R Praggnanandhaa, R Vaishali, and kabaddi champion 'Kannagi Nagar' R Karthika.
- Film Industry: Actors Karthi Sivakumar, Vijay Sethupathi, and Manikandan.
- Government & Policy: Ministers T M Anbarasan and Govi Chezhian inaugurated a tech exhibition, while ministers Thangam Thennarasu, Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, and T R B Rajaa interacted with students.
Former Union chief economic advisor Arvind Subramanian also made a notable statement, calling Tamil Nadu the "China of India" in terms of growth and development, and questioned why other states couldn't emulate its model for national progress.
This free laptop scheme represents a substantial investment by the DMK government in bridging the digital divide and preparing Tamil Nadu's youth for a technology-driven global economy.
