Educated must engage in agriculture too: Kamal

Interacting with college students from across Chennai at his home, Kamal said, “I’m not here to tell you what you must do. I hope to set an example with my behaviour. I pay my taxes promptly. We must all fulfill our duties and then ask questions of the powers that be. If we give away our votes for cash, we also give up our right to question those in power. So change must begin with you. This is every individual’s Satyagraha.” 

Kamal said that a welfare society should believe in these ideas. “As I mentioned in Madurai, I will not give you freebies like scooters. I will ensure that you have the opportunities and employment that will allow you to buy someone a scooter! It is not impossible. If we reduce theft and wastage we will be able to achieve this. Most of the government-run industries and businesses are failing. We must turn that around,” he said. 

On the opacity of political parties, Kamal said, “There must be more transparency - where there is no fear or wrongdoing there will be openness. I have the courage to accept dissenting opinions and hear the other person’s views. I am open to changing my views if the majority thinks I am wrong.” 

Responding to a question on education, he said, “There must be an improvement in the quality of education. It must be accessible to all, including the poorest. People have even suggested making it compulsory for politicians and government officials’ wards to study in government schools. That might improve the quality of education. 

The MNM president concluded saying, “I have all the expectations you have of me, of you. Your presence and participation in this interaction, your joining forces with our party Makkal Needhi Maiam has provided us a lot of confidence. My only request is that you must shed any arrogance that comes out of your education and acknowledge the tremendous work of those who are uneducated - like our farmers. I look forward to the day even educated people engaged in agriculture.”