Latest news with #SocialWelfareandWomenEmpowerment
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu government intensifies efforts to prevent child marriages, says Minister Geetha Jeevan
Minister of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment P. Geetha Jeevan said that the Tamil Nadu government has been taking intensive measures to prevent child marriages in the state, while flagging off the World Population Day in Thoothukudi on Friday. Aligned with this year's theme, 'Empowering Youth to Build the Families They Want,' the event, which took place at St. Mary's College, was presided over by Thoothukudi District Collector K. Elambahavath. At the event, Ms. Geetha Jeevan flagged off a rally, which saw the participation of college students and volunteers. Addressing the media, she said, 'For the past four years Tamil Nadu government has been conducting continuous awareness campaigns among school and college students to prevent child marriages.' She added that awareness programmes are also being created among women groups and parents. 'Notably such programmes are being intensively carried out in districts such as Tiruvallur, Theni and Madurai,' she mentioned. She emphasised that it is medically recommended that women marry only after the age of 18, as their bodies would be physically prepared for childbirth only after that age. However, recently, some reports from the Medical department revealed that several girls married before 18 have become pregnant. The Minister noted that the government has been meeting with families of underage brides and taking legal action under the law. In many such cases, the girls began to avoid visiting hospitals, fearing exposure. She reiterated that the government is also working to raise awareness among them about the importance of healthcare. At the event she also launched an awareness vehicle that will travel across the district to spread awareness about population control.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Interactive session held for aspiring law students in Thoothukudi
An interactive session, Kundrena Nimirndhu Nil, was held for students enrolled in law courses under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme at the Collectorate here on Saturday. Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Minister P. Geetha Jeevan, former Madras High Court Judge Chandru and Collector K. Elambahavath participated. Addressing the students, Justice Chandru highlighted Article 39 (a) of the Indian Constitution, introduced in 1976, emphasised equal justice and free legal aid for the poor. He urged the students to understand the law deeply and serve the common people with commitment. He further explained the framing of the Indian Constitution and noted that November 26 was celebrated every year as Constitution Day in India. The fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution cannot be changed. Everyone should learn law and create awareness among the people, he added. Ms. Kanimozhi expressed her happiness at the growing number of girl students enrolling in law courses. 'The dream of Periyar, Aringnar Anna and Kalaignar Karunanidhi is being fulfilled,' she said. She highlighted that 99% students from Thoothukudi district, who completed school education, had enrolled in higher education. Emphasising the need for social justice alongside legal knowledge, she exhorted the students not to limit themselves within a boundary and to set higher goals in order to achieve greater heights and meaningful changes in their chosen field. The Collector said a total of 204 students had applied for law courses through career guidance programmes. Of them, 73 students had successfully enrolled so far, including five in School of Excellence in Law, one in Tamil Nadu National law University in Tiruchi and 67 in Government Law colleges affiliated to Dr. Ambedkar Law University. He added that most of them were first generation graduates from government and aided schools. EOM
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Blood donors felicitated in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli
In observance of World Blood Donor day, Minister of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment P. Geetha Jeevan has honoured 26 donors with certificates and medals at an event organised in Thoothukudi Government Medical College and Hospital. Speaking at the event Ms. Geetha Jeevan said, 'World Blood Donor day is celebrated every year. This year the program is being organised at the hospital to recognise and honour the persons who donated blood thrice or more than that in a year. It aims to raise awareness among youth about the importance of blood donation, which can save countless lives.' As part of the event, she also flagged off a rally at the hospital to promote awareness on blood donation. Thoothukudi Collector K. Elambahavath, Dean G. Sivakumar, Resident Medical Officer Silas Jeyamani, doctors, nurses, students and other staff were present. In Tirunelveli, District Collector R. Sukumar honoured the donors at the event organised at Tirunelveli Medical College and Hospital. At the event he highlighted that in the Tirunelveli district alone, a total of 11,039 units of blood were collected in the past year and 23,352 blood components were provided to underprivileged patients receiving treatment at the hospital. He added that the blood components collected were extensively used in treating anaemia among pregnant women, injury related trauma cases, cancer patients and those undergoing surgical procedures. Tirunelveli Government Medical College and Hospital Dean Revathi Balan, along with other doctors and medical staff participated in the event.
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Thoothukudi students receive uniforms and books on reopening day
Following the end of summer vacation, schools reopened across Tamil Nadu on Monday. In Thoothukudi Minister of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment P. Geetha Jeevan inaugurated the distribution of school uniforms, textbooks and education materials to the students of government and aided schools. At the inaugural event of the initiative held at Toovipuram Corporation Primary School, District Collector K. Elambahavath presided over the event. Speaking at the event the minister said, 'For the academic year, the Chief Minister has instructed that new textbooks, uniforms and other educational materials must be distributed to students on the first day of school in all government and aided schools.' In line with this directive, all the related departments have collaborated to ensure the distribution of materials on the first day of the school, she added. She added that the Tamil Nadu government continues to give priority to education and a budget allocation of Rs 45,000 crore has been made to the education sector for the current year. Thoothukudi Corporation Mayor Jegan Periyasamy, Corporation Commissioner L. Madhubalan, District Chief Educational Officer Ganeshamoorthy and other officials were present at the event.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
6,500 Anganwadi centres upgraded to Smart centres across Tamil Nadu, says Minister Geetha Jeevan
Minister of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment P. Geetha Jeevan on Friday announced that 6,500 Anganwadi centres across the state have been upgraded into Smart Anganwadi centres. She made this announcement while participating in an event at Thoothukudi Government Medical College and Hospital (TKGMCH). At the event Ms. Geetha Jeevan launched the distribution of special protein rich meals to the patients undergoing dialysis treatment at the government hospitals. The meal includes milk, eggs, a cup of cooked chickpeas and biscuits. The event was presided over by TKGMCH Dean G. Sivakumar, Medical Superintendent Padhmanabhan and Resident Medical Officer Silas Jeyamani. Addressing the media, the Minister said, 'The Chief Minister has directed that protein rich meals be provided daily to patients undergoing dialysis. Accordingly the distribution has begun at the TKGMCH.' She added that in the TKGMCH alone, 22 patients were currently undergoing dialysis every day and this nutritious meal would be helpful for the patients travelling from rural areas for treatment. Speaking on reopening of Anganwadi centres on June 2, she said for the first time, books and uniforms would be distributed on the first day for the children attending Anaganwadi centres. Preparations were underway to ensure this distribution across 54,000 centres in Tamil Nadu. She highlighted that about 6,500 Anganwadi centres in the state had been upgraded into Smart Anganwadi centres as of March 2025, with fresh mural paintings, LED TVs, RO water purifiers and other modern facilities. 'These upgrades have been carried out using funds from CSR initiatives , MLA and MP Constituency developments funds, special grants from the Central and State government and special allotments from the District Collector,' she noted. The minister further added that the information regarding underweight new born was collected by the Social Welfare Department and special care was being provided to these children. Even children who were not enrolled at Anganwadi centres were visited by Anganwadi workers to monitor their health and offer nutritional support. These efforts resulted in the reduction in infant mortality rates among children under the age five in the past year, she stated.
