In Tiruvannamalai district, 122 students from eleven Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camps received guidance training for higher education. The training, aimed at students in grades 10, 11, and 12, was conducted by the District Tamil Welfare and Rehabilitation Department and the Education Department at Tyagi Annamalai Pillai Government Higher Secondary School.
Speaking at the event, Tiruvannamalai District Collector D Bhaskara Pandian emphasised the importance of education.
He noted that education is a key to success and that books are powerful tools for learning and growth. He cited Albert Einstein, who said that the best thing in the world is a book, and stressed that the more we read, the more we learn. Collector Bhaskara Pandian also referenced Tiruvalluvar’s Thirukkural, explaining that education should be pursued diligently. He emphasised that educated individuals can bring happiness to themselves and others. He noted that while parents may pursue various professions, education is the greatest asset, capable of transforming generations. Unlike material wealth, which can be destroyed, education endures and remains unaffected by natural disasters.
He urged students to think about their future goals and take advantage of the many opportunities available in fields such as food technology, exports, fashion designing, entrepreneurship, and technology. He assured them that the government provides various forms of assistance for aspiring entrepreneurs. “As students, you must think, plan, and strive to achieve your goals,” he advised.
Quoting Buddha, he said, “What you think, you become,” and encouraged students to set clear goals and work towards them. He also referenced Kaniyan Poongunnanar’s saying, “Yadum Ure, Yavaru Kalir,” to emphasise that success depends on making the most of opportunities, regardless of one's background.
District Principal Education Officer Ganeshmurthy, Tiruvannamalai District Government Model School Headmaster Ramdas, Special District Collector for Ceylon Tamil Rebirth Ch. Sajesh Babu, teachers,
parents, and students attended the event. Collector Bhaskara Pandian congratulated the students and urged them to move forward in life by making the most of educational opportunities.