Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday distributed 200,000 free laptops to eligible college students under the “Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil” (The World in Your Hands) scheme, aiming to promote education, digital literacy, and AI usage among youth.

Key Highlights

• Launch & Vision: The event was addressed by Chief Minister MK Stalin and former Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian, who praised Tamil Nadu as a model of development for other states, particularly the Hindi heartland. Subramanian said, “If India has to develop in some ways, then the Hindi heartland has to become what Tamil Nadu is today.”
• Investment in Students: Stalin emphasized that the laptops were not an expense but an investment in the future. He urged students to use the devices productively, saying, “AI cannot replace human beings. It can only help us work faster and more efficiently. Will you use this laptop only for gaming, or will you use it to advance your education?”
• AI Integration: Students also received a six-month subscription to Perplexity Pro, an AI-powered search engine, to enhance research and learning.
• Financial Allocation: The government earmarked ₹2,000 crore for the initiative. Phase one targeted students in government and aided colleges who either received scholarships or joined under a 7.5% quota.
• Development Model Praise: Subramanian highlighted Tamil Nadu’s strong energy and digital infrastructure as a foundation for future growth, comparing it favorably to other regions and even China’s renewable energy-led development.
• Additional Welfare: The laptop distribution coincided with Stalin’s announcement of a ₹3,000 cash dole for all rice ration card holders and families in rehabilitation camps for displaced Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, marking the Pongal festival.

This initiative aligns with Tamil Nadu’s strategy to equip students with technology and AI skills, supporting both educational advancement and long-term economic competitiveness.