CHENNAI, 01.05.24:  Stating that India was witnessing record growth in all round sectors, including emerging as a global economic leader, the country was also emerging as a power to reckon with sports at the world level, Dr. T.R.Paarivendhar, Honourable MP, and Founder & Chancellor, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, said on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering at an event to honour Nethra Kumanan, who has qualified for Paris Olympics to be held this year in the women’s dinghy (ILCA 6) category, Dr. Paarivendhar lauded the hard work, commitment, and determination of the athlete to qualify for the Olympics and represent India. Ms. Kumanan who completed her B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from SRMIST, is currently pursuing her MBA from SRMIST. 

Dr. Paarivendhar said that SRMIST was the one and only higher educational institution in India to support and promote sports. “We have been supporting athletes on a scale no other institution can do. We spend more than Rs. 25 crore per year on athletes, and infrastructure. We have recently work on a Swimming Pool that has been built matching international standards. It can even host Olympic events. Work is also on to complete an intergrated sports complex with provisions for a hostel to accommodate 1,000 students,” he said, adding that the gallery of the new swimming pool would be named after Ms. Kumanan. 

Among the 600 universities associated with Khelo India Games, SRMIST stood at no. 16, he said, reflecting their commitment to sports development. On the occasion, Dr. Paarivendhar also handed over Ms. Kumanan’s B.Tech Degree Certificate as due to her training commitment, she could not attend the convocation when it was held last year. He handed over a cheque for Rs. 25 lakh to Ms. Kumanan, and also honoured her parents – C.V.Kumanan and Sreeja Kumanan.

In her acceptance speech, she thanked Dr. Paarivendhar, the leadership and management of SRMIST, the Directorate of Sports, and everyone for their continued support and encouragement, which she said was the most important reason to fare well at the international level in sailing. She said that she would give her best to bring laurels to India and SRMIST.

In his address Prof. C.Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor, said that they had been supporting team events for a long time, but it was only with Ms. Kumanan, that they had started supporting individuals who had shone brilliantly at the national and global stage. 

Dr. S. Ponnusamy, Registrar also spoke. Dr. R.Mohana Krishnan, Director (Sports), welcomed the gathering. 

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PHOTO CAPTIONS:

CHEQUE DISTRIBUTION: Dr. T.R.Paarivendhar, Honourable MP, and Founder & Chancellor, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, on Wednesday, handed over a cheque for Rs. 25 lakh to Nethra Kumanan, who has qualified for Paris Olympics to be held this year in the women’s dinghy (ILCA 6) category.  Prof. C.Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor, Dr. S. Ponnusamy, Registrar Dr. R.Mohana Krishnan, Director (Sports), and C.V.Kumanan and Sreeja Kumanan, parents of Nethra are also present. 

HONOURING: Dr. T.R.Paarivendhar, Honourable MP, and Founder & Chancellor, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, on Wednesday, honoured Mr. Nethra Kumanan who has qualified for Paris Olympics to be held this year in the women’s dinghy (ILCA 6) category.  He also handed over a cheque for Rs. 25 lakh to her in the presence of Prof. C.Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor, Dr. S. Ponnusamy, Registrar Dr. R.Mohana Krishnan, Director (Sports), and C.V.Kumanan and Sreeja Kumanan, parents of Nethra are also present.