Startup TN Chairman inaugurates incubation centre at Thiagarajar College in Madurai

An incubation centre was inaugurated at Thiagarajar College here by Chairman of TN Startup Singai G. Ramachandran on Wednesday.

Mr. Ramachandran, during his address, narrated his story amidst hundreds of hurdles that he had faced before becoming a politician and later on an entrepreneur.

He wanted the students not to get content with a decent job and good salary. Instead, he asked them to be inventive as long as it would give them happiness.

“Beginning my journey as an engineering student and reaching this place, I faced several difficulties and problems which I am very happy of,” he stated.

Students, instead of aiming to settle for a paid job, should think of their own to build a system of their own. “Begin today, travel in the direction you want to go and you will love that journey,” he said.

K. Hari Thiagarajan, Correspondent, spoke on the pivotal role startups had been playing since its inception.

He thanked StartupTN for sanctioning ₹7.5 lakh (based on an innovative proposal) to Thiagarajar College, besides the same amount by Thiagarajar Mills and Thiagarajar College of Engineering amounting to a total of ₹22.5 lakh.

Emphasising the importance of startups, he said innovative ventures were designed to fill market gaps, introduce new products or services, and achieve rapid growth.

Grasping the fundamentals of startups, along with their key traits and success stories, inspired creative thinking, built entrepreneurial skills and opened up career possibilities beyond conventional paths, he added.

“Innovations need not be at the expense of ignoring the basic science while referring to the molecular handedness for which the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for 2026 was awarded. Students, instead of ignoring the basics of science, which form the basis of any innovation, should embrace the knowledge and build future out of it,” he said.

Narendra Nath Jana, Director and Clinical Head, Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, delivered his felicitation address. D. Pandiaraja, Principal of the college, proposed a vote of thanks.

In a similar event at Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Mr. Ramachandran inaugurated TCE AICTE IDEA Lab facility.

Mr. Hari Thiagarajan, Chairman and Correspondent, TCE, said, “The IDEA Lab, established with a total project outlay of ₹90 lakh through the AICTE, institutional and industry support, is equipped with advanced facilities, including a state-of-the-art 3D scanner and other modern tools for design, fabrication and prototyping.”

The facility aimed at promoting hands-on learning, design thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration and entrepreneurship, he said.

The inaugural event featured innovative projects developed by students, including hackathon-winning projects, Design Thinking solutions, and startup products, highlighting the institution’s vibrant innovation ecosystem.

L. Ashok Kumar, Principal, was present.