Join politics to lead the nation, youth told

Published in The New Indian Express, Page 2
Coimbatore edition, dated January 9, 2007

By Francis Barclay

Coimbatore, Jan 9: Educated youth should step into politics to shape the country's future, said Karthik P Chidambaram, son of Union Finance minister P Chidambaram, during an interaction with students of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) here on Tuesday.
Youth should not shy away from politics on the pretext that it is highly corrupt. The responsibility of cleaning the muck rests with them, Karthik, one of the founders of Karuthu.com, told the session organised as part of
the two-day `Muthamizh Vizha.'
He lamented over the fact that the era of students' revolution appears to be over. Students hardly participate in public affairs.
Though campus elections are significant, many colleges and varsities fail to hold them. But in universities abroad, students councils are treated on par with Senate.
Politicians alone cannot be blamed for the fall in democratic values.
The political outlook of treating the Opposition as enemy should change in the State, he said.
Even while promoting Tamil language, English should be promoted in rural areas. It is a global language, and for economic prosperity, knowledge of English is mandatory, he reasoned.
He attacked the present system of education that focuses only on examinations and marks.

Box story

`Globalisation, a two-way street'

Coimbatore, Jan 9: Globalisation is like a two-way street where exports and imports flow fast. Jump in imports need not cause any fear since there will be a spurt in exports too, Karthik P Chidambaram said.
C Ramasamy, Vice-chancellor of the varsity, said in his presidential address that globalisation is bound to succeed as the country is now governed by eminent economists at the Centre. Students are being prepared
for the global markets now, he added.
In his advice to students, he stressed the need to set goals and read a lot. He also outlined the importance of higher education.
Organised by the Students' Club of the TNAU, the `Muthamizh Vizha' features debates, poem recitations, plays, etc., by students. Lyricist Yugabharathi, the `Kalakka povathu yaru' troupe of Vijay TV, Tamil movie director Vasantha Balan and renowned dramatist `Crazy' Mohan are presenting programmes. Poet Arivumathi will address the valedictory function tomorrow.