Chennai, 20 June (H.S.):

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin on Saturday criticised the State government’s decision to rename the flagship Naan Mudhalvan scheme as Thiran Tamil Nadu, arguing that changing the identity of a programme that has benefited lakhs of students would not erase its achievements or public goodwill.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Stalin said the scheme had become synonymous with skill development and career advancement for Tamil Nadu’s youth and warned against any move that could weaken its objectives.

His remarks came after the government renamed the initiative and reportedly altered its official social media presence, replacing references to Naan Mudhalvan with the new title.

Stalin said that while governments may change names, they cannot erase the impact a programme has had on the lives of its beneficiaries.

“You may change the name of the social media pages and remove the posts published there, but you cannot erase the achievements of Naan Mudhalvan or the gratitude of the thousands of young people whose dreams were realised through it,” he said.

Recalling the origins of the scheme, Stalin described Naan Mudhalvan as one of the most important initiatives launched during his tenure as Chief Minister. He said the programme was conceived to equip students with industry-relevant skills, career guidance and employment opportunities, helping bridge the gap between education and the job market.

“For five years, I consistently encouraged students to focus on learning and self-improvement. It was with that vision that I launched Naan Mudhalvan, a project aimed at helping young people acquire skills and build successful careers,” he said.

The DMK leader maintained that the programme’s success lay in the opportunities it created for students and job seekers across the State, rather than in its branding.

Stalin also cautioned against allowing political considerations to interfere with initiatives designed for public welfare. Any attempt to dilute or discontinue programmes that support students and young professionals, he said, would ultimately hinder the development of Tamil Nadu’s youth.

“The progress of young people must remain a priority regardless of political differences,” Stalin said, adding that youth empowerment should never become a casualty of political change.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman