Chennai, Feb 28 (Reporter) Amid the raging row in Tamil Nadu over the Centre's insistence on accepting the New Education Policy (NEP)-2020 to implement the three-language policy in the State to receive its due share of funds, Governor R.N. Ravi on Friday said there was huge demand for implementation of NEP in the State as it would equip the youth better. He also emphasized the imperative need to implement the NEP-2020 in the state. He said the NEP 2020, with its focus on promoting Indian languages, arts, and culture, offers a beacon of hope for the region's youth. The state government's inflexible two-language policy, which, in the name of opposing Hindi, inadvertently denies students the opportunity to study other South Indian languages. This is indeed unfair and unjust," Mr Ravi asserted, while emphasising that the youth should have the freedom to choose their language to learn. Sharing insights from his discussions with various stakeholders across different sectors, including education, business, healthcare, hospitality, startups, women entrepreneurs, and MSMEs in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, he highlighted the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of the people despite facing numerous challenges and systemic barriers. "It was inspiring to witness their positive energy and determination to improve their lives," he said, adding that the region was rich in both human talent and natural resources. However, he expressed concern that the area appears to be neglected and lagging behind in terms of development. Mr Ravi pointed out that despite vast industrial potential, the youth in these regions often feel left out of opportunities. He also raised concerns about the increasing issue of drug abuse among youngsters, calling it a serious problem. Contrary to the media focus on orchestrated protests, he argued that the real priority should be the effective implementation of NEP 2020 to equip students with better educational and career prospects. Mr Ravi also criticized Tamil Nadu’s strict two-language policy, stating that it has restricted students' opportunities compared to their peers in neighboring states. He also contended that many youths feel disadvantaged due to the state's stance against Hindi. "Unfortunately, in the name of opposing Hindi, students here are not even given the freedom to learn any other South Indian language," he said, calling it an unfair restriction. He stressed that students should have the right to choose the languages they want to learn, as linguistic diversity could enhance their career prospects. The Governor reiterated that NEP 2020 could address many of these issues by offering students a broader, more flexible learning framework, while urging policymakers to prioritize its implementation, ensuring that Tamil Nadu’s youth are better equipped to compete at national and global levels...////...