Vice-President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan attended the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and Alumni Meet of V.O. Chidambaram College in Thoothukudi on November 11, 2026, serving as Chief Guest at his alma mater where he studied from 1975 to 1978. During the event, he paid floral tributes to the statue of freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram Pillai and inaugurated a commemorative arch marking the institution's 75th anniversary. The Vice-President visited his former classroom and interacted with classmates from his 1975-78 batch, recalling his college days including participation in the movement against the Emergency and efforts to mobilize funds to support families of those imprisoned during that period.
In his address, Radhakrishnan emphasized national unity, stating that India's strength as a united nation safeguards the language, culture and identity of diverse communities including Tamil culture. He urged students to strengthen national consciousness while taking pride in their mother tongue and encouraged learning multiple languages to take Tamil to the global stage. Highlighting education's role in nation-building, he referenced the expansion of higher education institutions across India and called upon the college to preserve its legacy while embracing new technologies, scientific research, and emerging disciplines to make quality education accessible to all sections of society. The Vice-President specifically advised young people to develop self-discipline, stay away from drugs and harmful habits, and contribute to the vision of a developed India by 2047.
The event was attended by Tamil Nadu Governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, College Secretary Shri A.P.C.V. Chockalingam, Principal Dr. C. Veerabagu, Alumni Association President Shri A.V. Murugesan, along with college administrators, faculty members, alumni, and students.