Lagatar24 Desk
Chennai: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi interacted with students at St Thomas English High School in Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, during the school’s golden jubilee celebrations, sharing personal anecdotes from his school days and discussing education, technology, and employment.
Recalling School Days and Mischief
Rahul Gandhi told students that he was “very mischievous” during his school years and fondly remembered his chemistry teacher for her excellent teaching and support during exams. He said that while studying at a boarding school, he would sometimes tell his parents he was unhappy just to make them visit him, though he was actually quite happy at school. Interacting informally, he said he felt like a child again while speaking with the students.
Views on IT, AI, and Manufacturing
During the interaction, Rahul Gandhi spoke about India’s success in the IT and software engineering sectors but cautioned that artificial intelligence could pose challenges for the industry in the future. He stressed the need to ensure that India does not fall behind in the services sector while also expanding into manufacturing. Pointing to China’s dominance in manufacturing, he said many everyday items like microphones and cameras are made there, and India must develop the mindset and capability to manufacture such products domestically.
Education and Employment Priorities
Rahul Gandhi emphasized that education should neither be excessively expensive nor completely privatized. While private schools and colleges have a role, he underlined the importance of strong, quality government education supported by adequate public investment. He also highlighted the need for a job-friendly environment, stating that employment opportunities should grow not only in IT and services but also in manufacturing so that young people can find meaningful work across sectors.
