'Jai Ho' for curbing dropout rate
Jai Ho, an initiative to check the dropout rate in Tamil Nadu schools by Rotary International 3230 with support from Zee Tamil Entertainment, was formally launched at Hotel Accord Metropolitan recently.
The primary objective of the initiative is to identify those who dropped out at the level of class 10 and 12, due to financial constraints.
Jai Ho is a CSR initiative to make education available to the lesser-privileged and consequently curb the percentage of school dropouts in Tamil Nadu every year.
Rotary International has been instrumental in doing social service all around Tamilnadu in various fields. However, Jai Ho was a seedsown and grown by its chairman Bala Pavan, who decided to initially fund 200 students for their education. The initiative has grown since then and is now providing scholarships to 5,000 plus students.
Prem Menon, business head of Zee Tamil, had played a pivotal role in promoting the cause and ensuring its reach across the State. Standing as a forefront contributor, Zee Tamil has contributed `1.2 crore towards this initiative.
“Our channel has not only changed the lives of many through our reality shows, but also through such initiatives,” said Prem Menon.
The Jai Ho scholarships are available for Class 10 and 12 students who passed the recent board exams.
A total scholarship of Rs 2 crore will be awarded to the class 10 students to pursue their higher secondary education and to 12th standard students to pursue college education.
The students will be judged under four categories — Merit Scholarships, Merit -cum-means scholarships, sports and extracurricular activities and first graduate in the family. Nearly 1 lakh applications have been received so far through SMS. An eminent panel of judges, which includes actress Rohini, Natraj, IPS, and Abirami Mega Mall owner and film distributor Abirami Ramanathan will select over 2,000 students, who will be acknowledged as deserving candidates based on parameters like marks, financial status, etc.
The selected students will be awarded scholarships.
The launch event was attended by several prominent personalities who had contributed to the initiative.
Kancheepuram MP Viswanathan, who was one of the guests of the evening, appreciated the cause.
Recalling his long association with the Rotary Club, he promised all possible assistance from his end to encourage initiatives like these. Having struggled financially for education, he said he would ensure none went through such a crisis.
The other chief guests at the event were A P Kanna (Rotary International District governor 2013-14), Abirami Ramanathan, Justice K N Basha, Prem Menon (Business Head – Zee Tamil) and Easwaran (Deputy (Business Head – Zee Tamil).
The event was also attended by many film stars including actors Jeeva and Simran, singer Harish Raghavendar and Comedian Chinni Jayanth.