Actor and leader of the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay, held a special meet-and-greet event on 28 June 2024 to honour students who excelled in the recent 10th and 12th-grade examinations. The event took place at the Ramachandra Convention Center in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.
During his speech, Vijay congratulated the students and provided advice on career choices. “Some of you might be a bit anxious or confused in making decisions about your career. To all of them, I would like to say that all vocations are good; all that matters to be successful is choosing a field of work and giving your 100% to it. So, choose wisely; understand the options available, and talk to your parents, teachers, and career counselors to help you make the decision,“ he said.
Vijay emphasized the importance of leadership across various fields, not just politics. “Many consider only medicine or engineering as viable professional fields; in Tamil Nadu, we already have world-class doctors, engineers, and lawyers in abundance. What we are currently lacking is good leaders. By that, I don’t just mean political leaders, but also those who can climb the ladder and become a leader in their respective fields,” he stated, encouraging students to view politics as a viable career option. “Don’t you all want to see good, educated people in politics?”
Say NO to Temporary Pleasures…
Say NO to Drugs !#ThalapathyHonorsStudents #TVKVijay #தமிழகவெற்றிக்கழகம் pic.twitter.com/8O73RZ60OC— TVK Vijay Trends (@TVKVijayTrends) June 28, 2024
A major highlight of his speech was his call for students to develop skills in fact-checking news. “All you need to do is read newspapers regularly, and you will realize how the same news story gets reported in different ways in different newspapers. Reporting on facts is different from reporting an opinion. At the same time, you can also see how news portals on social media can create an opinion about somebody, and how they can project a good as a bad or a bad as a good,“ Vijay explained. He added that such skills would help the youth discern the truth and make informed decisions about leaders. “You will stop believing in the propaganda and lies that some political parties spread in their campaigns. And only when you do that, you will get the right worldview to choose the leaders. There’s no better contribution to our nation’s growth than this.”
Addressing the issue of drug abuse, Vijay advised students to avoid negative influences and refrain from using drugs. “Don’t lose your identity at any cost. Of late in Tamil Nadu, there’s been a big spike in the use of drugs among youngsters. As a father and as a leader of a political party, I am scared of this situation. I am not here to accuse the ruling government of being unable to protect youngsters from drug abuse. I am saying that sometimes we need to take care of our lives first. Develop self-control and self-discipline.”
He concluded by leading the students in affirmations against temporary pleasures and drug use, underscoring his commitment to fostering a drug-free youth. “Say no to temporary pleasures, say no to drugs,“ he urged. It is noteworthy that Vijay visited the victims of the Kallakuruchi hooch tragedy.
Vijay also encouraged those who did not clear the examinations not to be disheartened. “Success is never-ending. Failure is never final.”
This event marks the first of two student meets organized by the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam, with the second scheduled for 3 July 2024. This is the second year Vijay has honored top students and the first since founding his political party.
(with inputs from The Hindu)
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