Read Ambedkar, Periyar; ask parents not to take money for casting votes: Thalapathy Vijay to TN toppers

Calling the students the future stars of India, Vijay said: “I was not a bright student like you, I am an average student. My dream was to achieve in cinema and I took measures towards that.”

The event was organised by the actor’s fan club-turned-welfare organisation, All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (TVMI), at the RK Convention Centre near Chennai. (Express Photo)

Written by: Janardhan Koushik

4 min readChennaiJun 17, 2023 05:07 PM IST First published on: Jun 17, 2023 at 05:07 PM IST

Actor Vijay Saturday felicitated the top three scorers in secondary and higher secondary state board exams from each Assembly constituency of Tamil Nadu. The event was organised by the actor’s fan club-turned-welfare organisation, All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (TVMI), at the RK Convention Centre near Chennai.

The fans gathered in large numbers in front of the centre as well as outside Vijay’s house in Neelankarai to catch a glimpse of the actor. It is to be noted that Vijay had asked TVMI functionaries to not put up any posters or banners as it was a student-related event.

Beginning his speech with his famous punch line, En Nenjil Kudiyirukkum (to those who reside in my heart), Vijay said the program was a one-of-its-kind event and he felt a sense of responsibility while standing on the dais. (Express Photo)

At the program, Vijay greeted the students and even sat next to a few of them before appearing on stage. The event began with the traditional Tamil Thai Vazhthu (Tamil anthem).

Calling the students the future stars of India, Vijay said: “I was not a bright student like you, I am an average student. My dream was to achieve in cinema and I took measures towards that.”

At the program, Vijay greeted the students and even sat next to a few of them before appearing on stage. (Express Photo)

Reiterating a dialogue from actor Dhanush’s movie Asuran, which highlights the importance of education, Vijay said he wanted to do something for the promotion of education for a long time.

“Try to read more and know about our leaders. Try to read about Ambedkar, Periyar, Kamarajar. Take good things and leave the rest. This is your take-home message today,” he said.

தளபதி @actorvijay அவர்கள் 10 மற்றும் 12-ஆம் வகுப்பு பொதுத் தேர்வில் சிறந்த மதிப்பெண்களைப் பெற்ற மாணவ மாணவிகளை சந்திக்க சென்னை நீலாங்கரையில் உள்ள R.K கன்வென்ஷன் வந்தடைந்தார்.!#TVMIEducationAwardCeremony #LEO (1/2) pic.twitter.com/953ly3pGdj

— Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkham (@TVMIoffl) June 17, 2023

Thalapathy further told the students, “When wealth is lost nothing is lost, when health is lost something is lost, when character is lost everything is lost.”

He advised students to be aware of fake news spread on social media and added that receiving money to vote is like “pricking our eyes with our own hands.”

“You are tomorrow’s voters. You are going to elect good leaders. If someone is giving you money today, think how he would have got that money. Students across Tamil Nadu should tell their parents not to take money for casting a vote. I believe if you (students) say, there will be a change,” Vijay said.

The actor asked students not to feel discouraged about anything and not to take any extreme decisions.

The students were provided certificates, mementos, and cash rewards. S Nandhini, who secured 600 out of 600 in the Class XII board exam, was awarded with a diamond necklace.

The actor’s meet and greet with the students comes a few days ahead of his birthday on June 22. Vijay is awaiting the release of Leo directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. The film also stars Trisha, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun, Gautam Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, and Mansoor Ali Khan, among others.

Janardhan Koushik

Janardhan Koushik is Deputy Copy Editor of indianexpress.com. He is a New Media journalist with over... Read More