ERADICATION OF UNTOUCHABILITY But

esidential scholarships to Harijan and Backward class students studying in
~rts and Professional ~olle~es.~'
154
It was the policy of the Congress Party that the education should become
common property of the common man.42 Hence the Congress Ministry in 1952
under Rajaji tried to eradicate illiteracy among the masses that too particularly
among the Harijans.
The Government pursued the policy of the Noon meal scheme of the
previous government (Justice Party Government) to appease the hunger of he
poor children. Nearly 87,300 children and 1330 labour schools were benefited
by this scheme. Due to this the strength of the students increased. 'The children
were hale and healthy and they evinced keen interest in their studies."
The Madras Corporation continued its own scheme of supplying free
mid-day meals to the children attending the Corporation elementaq schools.
The medical officers in consultation with the head tilaster sclected children
who needed additional care. In Madras city poor and ill-nourished children
were given shark liver oil and calcium tablets. Certain nlunicipalities arranged
for free vitamin tablets to the needy children and expectant mothers.'"
Rajaji's New Pattern of Education and its Repercussion
During his last tenure as Chief Minster (1952-54) Rajaji had introduced
a new system of education on 31, May 1953,~~ which brought brickbats rather
than bouquets. He on many occasions clarified that the new system of