- Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched phase 2 of the Pudumai Penn scholarship scheme at the Hindu College near Avadi in Chennai on Wednesday.
- The scheme involves distribution of a scholarship amount of ₹1,000 per month to girls pursuing their higher studies after completing their schooling in government schools.
- The scholarship is provided through the Social Welfare Department. Mr. Stalin said a total of 1.16 lakh students had benefited from this programme so far, at a cost of ₹69.44 crore.
- The Chief Minister launched the first phase of the scheme during a function on September 5.
- The scholarship was distributed in the name of Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar as she, along with Thanthai Periyar, began a revolution for the development of girls in getting them educational facilities more than 100 years ago.
- The launch of the scheme helped increase the enrolment of girls in higher studies by over 27% than last year.
- The Chief Minister said education will help every woman become financially independent. He urged all girls to utilise the scheme.
- The DMK administration followed the ‘Dravidian Model’ which stood for women empowerment and development, he said.
- A legislation on equal rights for women in ancestral properties was introduced by former Chief Minister Karunanidhi in 1989.
- The party was responsible for allotting 30% seats for women in government jobs, and helping Self Help Groups to make women lead financially independent lives.
- The free travel for women in government buses scheme, launched after he took oath as Chief Minister, had facilitated over 180 crore trips.
SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB