Former DGP Credits Police for Coimbatore's Sustained Peace After 1998 Serial Blasts
At the 100th Founders' Day celebrations of PSG Institutions, held at the PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research in Neelambur, former Director General of Police Dr K Radhakrishnan IPS highlighted the critical role of sustained police efforts in bringing communal clashes and deaths under control following the devastating serial blasts in Coimbatore in 1998. He emphasized that these efforts were instrumental in ensuring peace and stability in the city in the aftermath of the tragic events.
Restoring Trust and Social Fabric
Dr Radhakrishnan, drawing from his extensive experience during challenging periods in Tamil Nadu's history, spoke about the importance of institutional responsibility and collective effort in maintaining social harmony. He stated, "An IPS officer in India is more than a law enforcer, a guardian of the Constitution. The serial blasts of February 1998 were not just an attack on human lives but an attempt to shatter the social fabric and economic backbone of the city. Restoring order was our mandate, but the real challenge was deeper than law enforcement; it was to restore the trust of the public."
He provided a stark historical context, noting that the first communal murder in Coimbatore occurred in 1989, with the last one in 1998. During this period, the city witnessed 103 communal murders and 1,080 violent incidents. However, since then, an impressive 28 years have passed without any reported communal incidents in Coimbatore. Dr Radhakrishnan attributed this remarkable achievement to the resilience of the people of Coimbatore, which he described as truly immense and a key factor in restoring normalcy.
Changing Social Landscape and Educational Responsibilities
The event also featured S Padmanabhan, chairman of Tata Chemicals Limited and Rallis India Limited, as the chief guest. He addressed the evolving social landscape and its profound impact on education. Padmanabhan pointed out that the shift from joint families to nuclear families has significantly influenced the social behavior of the younger generation, who now form the core of today's student population.
He elaborated on how these demographic changes place new responsibilities on educational institutions and teachers. "Learning methods, use of technology, and student-teacher interactions are evolving rapidly, calling for greater empathy in engaging with students," he said. Stressing the importance of collaborative learning, Padmanabhan added that discussions, questions, and debates are essential tools that will help shape the minds and models of the future.
Celebrating a Century of Contributions
The Founders' Day event served as a milestone to commemorate the contributions of PSG & Sons' Charities to education and social development for over a century. As part of the celebrations, the institution conferred prestigious awards on four distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions in public service and social development.
The awards were presented as follows:
- PSG Vishwa Seva Rathna Award: Bestowed upon Dr K Radhakrishnan and Dr RV Ramani, founder and managing trustee of Sankara Eye Foundation, in recognition of their exemplary service to society.
- PSG Vishwa Gnana Rathna Award: Conferred on Prof Navakanta Bhat from the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and Sudha Ragunathan, a renowned carnatic vocalist, for their significant contributions to knowledge and culture.
This event not only honored past achievements but also underscored the ongoing commitment to fostering harmony, education, and social progress in Coimbatore and beyond.
