Speaker roots for scientific Tamil

CHENNAI: Underscoring the need to give importance to ‘Scientific Tamil’,  Assembly Speaker D Jayakumar, on Thursday said it was the best way to develop the Tamil language.At a function organised by ST Courier to honour State rank holders of Class X and XII examinations this year, Jayakumar said, “The Government of Tamil Nadu is taking a lot of effort to develop education. The ultimate goal of the government is to bring Tamil Nadu up to the first slot among all other States in education.” He said ever since the eighth World Tamil Conference, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had been keen on developing ‘Scientific Tamil’. Stressing on the need for social service, Jayakumar asked students to serve humanity. “If you serve others you will find place in history,” he said, quoting a few lines from MGR songs.Earlier, the Speaker distributed cash awards and medals to the students.Apart from 21 State rank holders, 64 other college students from various streams received scholarships. Cash awards worth Rs 20 lakh were given to students this year.  State first-rank holders in the Class X examination — M Nithiya, S Ramya, S Sangeetha, M Minnaladevi and R Harini — were awarded Rs 10,000 each.  Four second rank holders — A Sadam Hussain, V Srinidhi, Bhuvana and R Sushmitha — were felicitated with Rs 5,000 cash awards.  Third rank holders — Senthilkumar, Sabhana Begum, Dhanasekar, Sangeetha, Dhamodharan and Iyyapan — were awarded Rs 3,000 each.The teachers of the rank holders were also felicitated at the function.