Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi on Wednesday emphasized the need for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, stating that the region's youth face disadvantages due to the state's dual-language policy.

In a statement, Governor Ravi said he had interacted with a diverse group of local leaders, including those from education, business, healthcare, hospitality, start-ups, women entrepreneurs, MSMEs, and students from various institutions in the southern districts.

He noted that despite significant human potential and natural resources, the region remains neglected. “The entrepreneurial spirit and energy of the people are commendable, but they face numerous challenges, including procedural hurdles. The issue of drug abuse among youth is also a serious concern,” he said.

The Governor stressed that while protests opposing NEP 2020 dominate media headlines, the real need lies in its implementation. He also criticized the state's strict dual-language policy, arguing that it puts Tamil Nadu's youth at a disadvantage compared to their counterparts in neighboring states.

“Young people here feel deprived as they are not allowed to study other southern languages under the pretext of opposing Hindi. This is unfair. The choice of language should be left to the youth,” Ravi asserted.