Tirunelveli's 'Anbadum Mundril' Program Wins Tamil Nadu's Top Award

In 2023, the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu launched an innovative initiative called 'Anbadum Mundril' to address the issue of caste-based clashes among school students. The program was conceived by the then District Collector K.P. Karthikeyan and launched by Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Udhayanidhi Stalin, following a brutal attack on a Scheduled Caste student and his sister by their schoolmates from an intermediate caste.

The 'Anbadum Mundril' program was introduced in 105 government and government-aided high and higher secondary schools in Tirunelveli. It involved active participation from various departments, including education, police, revenue, and local administration, as well as psychologists and counselors. The program assessed the students' skills and psychology, and addressed the underlying issues through a scientific approach.

Apart from the students, their parents and teachers were also provided with counseling. The progress made through this initiative was evaluated at the end of each academic year, and the program was extended to other schools as needed. The program also focused on guiding the students away from substance abuse and helping them develop their skills and interests.

As of August 2025, the 'Anbadum Mundril' program has been recognized with the prestigious Chief Minister's Best Practices Award for its remarkable success in fostering love, brotherhood, and harmony among the school students in Tirunelveli district.