‘School of Semiconductor’ Initiative
▪ Pioneering Initiative: It’s a new program for India’s technology sector, with the goal of building a globally competitive semiconductor workforce in Tamil Nadu.
▪ Key Component: The first major action under this initiative is the creation of a Centre for
Advanced Semiconductor Technologies.
▪ Unique Feature: This centre will have India’s first “in situ” semiconductor fab processing facility, a small-scale production-grade fab that will aid in research, skilling, and technology localization.
▪ Partnerships: The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Tamil Nadu government, IIT
Madras, and major corporate partners in the semiconductor industry.
▪ Funding: The Tamil Nadu government will provide an initial seed grant of ₹100 crore.
▪ Location: The proposed centre will be located at the Central Polytechnic Campus in Chennai.
▪ Training and Goals:
✓ The centre will train over 4,500 candidates through specialized 2–6-week modules.
✓ The training will focus on practical applications in key sectors like electric vehicles, data
centres, and space technology.
✓ The initiative aims to develop human capital across all levels, from technicians to managers,
and support a range of activities from fabless design to start-ups and R&D.
▪ Broader Vision: The goal is to make Tamil Nadu an indispensable source of highly-skilled talent for the semiconductor industry, both nationally and globally.
▪ Collaboration: The initiative will also explore collaboration with the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
▪ Implementation: The Department of Industries and the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation will work together to implement the initiative.
“Nalam Kakkum Stalin” program
▪ Inter-Departmental Collaboration: Multiple government departments will be involved, including:
✓ Social Welfare and Women Empowerment
✓ Labour Welfare and Skill Development
✓ Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare
▪ Program Review: The initiative will be monitored at different levels:
✓ A state-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary will review the program.
✓ Collectors will be responsible for reviewing its implementation at the district level.
✓ The functioning of the camps will be reviewed on a weekly and monthly basis.
Tamil Nadu’s engine of progress : Education for all
▪ Education is the foundation of Tamil Nadu’s social and economic progress.
▪ It serves as a tool of social justice and equal opportunity, particularly for marginalised
communities.
Historical Legacy
▪ 1920: First school mid-day meal served in Thousand Lights, Madras, inspired by P. Theagaraya Chetty.
▪ 1921: Justice Party’s Communal GO opened up access to education for marginalised communities.
Impressive Education Indicators
▪ Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Higher Education:
✓ Tamil Nadu overall: 47%
✓ National average: 28.4%
✓ TN women: 47.3%
✓ National women’s average: 28.5%
Flagship Schemes
▪ Pudhumai Penn Thittam: Provides a monthly stipend of ₹1,000 to girl students from government
or aided schools pursuing higher education, helping to increase female enrollment.
▪ Illam Thedi Kalvi: Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to bridge learning gaps among
vulnerable communities.
▪ Breakfast Scheme: An extension of the long-standing meal programs, this scheme provides free breakfast to primary school students, improving attendance and nutrition.
Veargalai Thedi
▪ Launch Date: May 24, 2023 (Singapore).
▪ Objective: To enable young overseas Tamils to experience and feel pride in their Tamil heritage, culture, and history.
▪ Eligibility: Tamil youth aged 18 to 30 years from foreign countries.
▪ Organised by: Directorate of Rehabilitation and Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils.
